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DIMAPUR, NAGALAND — Two women candidates namely Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse, both from the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), on Thursday scripted history in Nagaland politics by getting elected to the state legislative assembly.
Meanwhile, the counting of votes for the two other women candidates -- Rosy Thompson of Indian National Congress (INC) and Kahuli Sema of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – are still on at the time of filing this report.
No woman has been elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), the highest decision-making body of the state, since the attainment of statehood in 1963 till Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse broke the glass ceiling in the general election to the 14th NLA.
Hekani Jakhalu, who contested from 3 Dimapur-III constituency on NDPP ticket, won on Thursday. She defeated her nearest rival Azheto Zhimomi of LJP (RV) by a margin of 1536 votes. Other candidates who contested for the seat included Azheto Zhimomi (LJP-RV), Vetetso Lasuh (INC), Lun Tungnung (IND) and Kahuto Chishi Sumi (IND).
The other winning candidate, Salhoutunuo Kruse, also from NDPP, beat her lone rival Keneizhakho Nakhro, a sitting MLA in the current state government who contested as an Independent candidate. She won by a narrow margin of 7 votes.
She is a lawyer and a social activist. Known for her non-governmental organization YouthNet Nagaland, which was set up to help the youths of the state pursue business opportunities, she forayed into politics by contesting in the general election to the 14th NLA.
The 48-year-old MLA elected, who has worked with the youth for 17 years, earlier said that her main focus would be to empower the youth and women of the state, creating a model constituency, and uplift minority communities.
Transforming Dimapur-III into a model constituency, which would include providing education to all children, healthcare, and basic amenities, was one of her election promises.
Salhoutuonuo is the wife of Kevisekho Kruse, who contested the 2018 election from the same seat and party ticket but lost to Keneizhakho Nakhro.
The 56-year-old NDPP candidate, who had earlier expressed her desire fulfill her husband aspirations, said her victory by a tight margin showed that she won by the "grace of God" and that she would pray with the party workers once she collects her winning certificate.
Salhoutuonuo had earlier told this newspaper that her active involvement in NGOs for 24 years had encouraged her to enter politics. Women are now realising the importance of being in the government, and being in the decision-making process to help society and the people, she had said.
She also said that that major focus would be on youth and women empowerment, skill development and employment, improving the quality of life of the people by enhancing governance and security, creating a model constituency and equal infrastructural development and representation of urban and rural areas.