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The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Saturday issued party tickets to 21 candidates to contest election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly scheduled to be held on February 27.
The party tickets were distributed at a programme held in Congress Bhavan, Dimapur.
Some of the highlights of the party’s first list include fielding of a woman candidate -- Rosy Thomson -- from 6 Tenning AC, taking the total number of women candidates so far in this election to four.
The Congress is also pitting Seyievilie Chachu against the incumbent chief minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, from 11 Northern Angami-II (ST). Rio was elected uncontested from the constituency in the previous election.
Meanwhile, NPCC President K Therie is contesting from Dimapur-I this time, deserting 16 Pfutsero Assembly Constituency (AC), where he lost a few times.
Read: Congress announces 21 candidates including one woman for Nagaland poll; pits candidate against CM
Read: NPF set to issue tickets; NPCC in candidate finalisation process
Former minister Zachilhu Ringa Vadeo is also making a comeback after a long hiatus by contesting from 19 Phek AC, the constituency where Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo Nienu is contesting.
Speaking during the ticket distribution ceremony, Therie said the party workers have been preparing and working hard to fight the upcoming election for quite some time with an aim to change the state.
While lamenting that people make wrongful decisions and repeat it despite knowing the current situation, he said at least more than 20 candidates have come forward this time to fight defend and protect Nagaland from being “further tortured, divided and intimidated”.
He said there are many strong Congress candidates, including retired Commissioner Secretary Denngan Y Avennoho, who is contesting from Longleng AC.
Therie claimed that villagers still love the Congress party which stands for the constitution of India, while accusing the BJP of trying to derail the constitution of India through ‘amendments and trying to induct Hindu nationalism’. He added that the grand old party won’t mind if it is for unity, ‘but religion cannot be forced upon each other’.
More related news: NPP announces first list of candidates for Nagaland poll; releases election manifesto
The NPCC chief also released the party’s election manifesto, which touched upon dozens issues and programmes, including: Endearing to implement agreed political solutions, welfare schemes, 33% reservation for women in ULB, village as well as urban development programmes, separate programme for eastern districts, enhancing education sector and economy, creating job opportunities for all, providing two legislators for unrepresented minorities via nominees, boosting economy and bringing infrastructural development.