NA-II A/C BYE-ELECTION
Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 11
About thirty villages under the 11th Northern Angami II assembly constituency are currently gearing up for bye-election which will be held on October 15 and see a contest between DAN coalition partners NPF and BJP. The assembly seat fell vacant after former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio resigned ob being elected to the Lok Sabha.
With both ruling NPF and the BJP fielding debutant candidates in the bye-elections, the people are not raising a high bar of expectation instantly from either candidate. However, the problem of increasing number of unemployed youth in the villages and improvement in livelihood of farmers are some areas where the elected MLA is expected to deliver.
NPF candidate, 39 year-old Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, a former All Nagaland College Students’ Union president, had earlier told journalists on the sidelines of a function at Chiechama that he aspires to serve the people in whatever capacity he may be assigned with if he wins in the bye-poll. He, however, pointed out that his main priorities lie with educating the youth, welfare of the old and uplifting the farmers. With a background in medical studies, Keditsu has also said he looks forward to help the people of his constituency by improving the health sector with the support of the government if he is elected. He has also indicated that he is stepping into politics for good, stating that whether he wins or loses in the impending bye-election, this will be his field and he looks forward to serve the people in any capacity that he can.
As for the BJP candidate, Visasolie Lhoungu, the retired bureaucrat has told Eastern Mirror in an earlier interview that he has gradually developed the interest to join politics to help the poor during his years of service under the Rural Development department. The 60-year-old former CEO of National Rural Livelihoods Mission said his focus is on providing proper livelihood to the rural masses. His priorities are to provide opportunities for employment of the educated youth, self-employment for the uneducated and to enhance the livelihood of villagers by delivering flagship programmes meant for the rural people, he said.
On who has an advantage in the bye-election, a youth leader from Gariphema village said although Lhoungu has got the credentials and the potentials with elderly wisdom, Keditsu’s younger age will be an advantage. “This is the time of the youth, you know,” he said, indicating that the former has spent his best years in government service and he is a little too old to be entering into politics as a fresh face. On the needs of the villages under the Northern II constituency, he said while overall development is required, roads, drinking water and equal opportunity (economically) are the three main critical areas that needs immediate attention
According to a women organization leader from Chiechama, “Both candidates are good men…they both have the willingness to help people, especially those from the rural areas”. She stated that she is optimistic that whoever wins will be an asset to the people of the constituency. However, she said that though she supports both the candidates morally, she will be voting for the one who hails from her village (Keditsu).
For a 70- year-old farmer from Rusoma village, there are lots to be done in the area but what needs immediate attention is the condition of the rural poor/farmers. The standard of our livelihood needs to be improved, he stressed.
A young post-graduate student from Nerhema has a different take on what the constituency is lacking. While asserting that there is a huge economic disparity among villages, she lamented that many people expect politicians to change their living standards.
“There are still many small villages in our range that are underdeveloped and need more attention…we should think about them and pave way for them. Whereas, we have to teach ourselves self-dependency and move out of our comfort zones, then only we can be considered a good and a healthy constituency,” she stated.
