Nagaland gets first-ever woman minister

Salhoutuonuo Kruse created history by becoming the first woman in Nagaland to be appointed as a cabinet minister after the grand swearing -in ceremony of the chief minister and council of ministers in Kohima on Tuesday.

Since the attainment of statehood in 1963, Nagaland elected two women to the NLA for the first time — Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu — who contested on NDPP tickets.

Soon after the solemn event which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah including BJP national president JP Nadda and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma among others, Kruse was seen greeted by many.

 “I thank God,” an elated Kruse said, on being given a ministerial berth while speaking to Eastern Mirror briefly before hurriedly proceeding  to Raj Bhavan for the state lunch after the occasion.

She won the recently concluded election with a margin of seven votes to create history by becoming the first woman minister in the state.

Hekani Jakhalu, who along with Kruse, became the first women from Nagaland to be elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, said “I feel very nice after winning the election and I also feel double happy that now a woman has been given a cabinet.”

She became a legislator after winning the election by 1,536 votes in Dimapur – 3 Assembly Constituency on NDPP ticket.
Jakhalu said winning the election should “encourage and make other women brave,” who are looking forward to contest the elections in the coming days.

“We are very happy and proud that we have opened the doors for other women to be more courageous,” Jakhalu said.

When asked how she feels that her fellow colleague was given a cabinet berth, Jakhalu said she was happy for her “as Kruse is someone who is a mature woman”.

She went on to say that they were happy “as history has been created about the new responsibilities as woman.”

“I really really feel that Kruse is the right person to be given the cabinet rank as she will shine for us,” Jakhalu said, assuring to help her colleague in whatever capacity she can assist her in.

Prior to the swearing-in ceremony, she shared how they have been spending time together for the past days.

Now that they are together, she expressed hope to impact the society with a “more powerful voice”.

 Despite all the 60 constituencies having their own story and battle, she said that her battle has been “very unique ” because Dimapur – 3, according to her, is one of the “most complicated constituencies.” “One day, I hope to narrate my own story,” she added.
She said that her case was not just an election but there were many other complexities that surrounded Dimapur – 3, which is why she is “definitely expecting a good portfolio.”

‘I’ll have my own vision but the responsibilities towards my people in Dimapur – 3 are very huge,’ she said.
“If I’m not given a good portfolio I’m not going to be able to live up to the expectations of the people,” she said, adding , “there’s so much to do so only when you have a good portfolio,  you’ll be able to deliver justice to the people”.

 Phangnon Konyak, the first woman member of Parliament from Nagaland, said that it was a “proud moment for the Nagas” as the two women have been elected to be part of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the first time.

 “Nagaland has yet created another history by electing two women representatives to the Assembly,” said Khruohituonuo Rio, Secretary-in-Charge, Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
“It was also a privilege to witness the swearing in of the first lady minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly,” she added.

“I feel like this has opened up a door of encouragement for other women to take risks and venture into more fields which involve decision-making,” Rio said,who is also the first woman to conduct an Assembly session in Nagaland.

She conducted the Assembly session last year.

Along with my new Cabinet colleagues, called on the Hon’ble Governor of Nagaland Shri @LaGanesan. pic.twitter.com/x5LkcNwS6g

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) March 7, 2023

Also read: History created in Nagaland: 2 women elected to state assembly