Nagaland Election 2023: Y Patton’s biggest rival Yanthan joins BJP

Eastern Mirror Desk

In a major political development ahead of the upcoming Nagaland Assembly election, former MLA Yankithung Yanthan on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with his supporters.

Yanthan had earlier won the election in 2003 on a Congress ticket from 37 Tyui Assembly Constituency before losing to the incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton in the 2008, 2013 and 2018 state assembly elections.

Speaking at the declaration programme, Patton said the merger of former legislator was a major boost for the BJP and called to work together along with Yanthan and his supporters to bring about change in Nagaland in general and Wokha district in particular.

Extending his support to Patton, Yanthan said that his decision to join the BJP and support Patton was not for his personal benefit but for change and development.

He expressed hope that his move would bode well for the Lotha people and ‘inspire’ other constituencies as well.

The decision to join the BJP party was consensual and was done in consultation with my supporters to strengthen the leadership of Y Patton, he added.

The merger programme was held at the private residence of Patton in Wokha and attended by supporters of both the leaders.