Tapi bye-election in Nagaland: Political parties still undecided on candidates, participation

KOHIMA — The bye-election for the 43-Tapi Assembly Constituency in Mon district is just 23 days away but political parties are either undecided on fielding a candidate or yet to finalise one.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced earlier this week that the bye-election for Tapi A/C will be held on November 7 before the votes are counted on December 3. The nomination can be done till October 20, while last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 23.

The seat was won by Advisor of Social Welfare, Noke Wangnao of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) earlier this year but was left vacant after his demise on August 28.

An official of the NDPP told Eastern Mirror that the party is planning to contest the bye-election but it has not received any application from potential candidates.

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) also confirmed that it has decided to field its candidate in the upcoming bypoll. In this regard, Chirag Paswan, national president of the party, has submitted a formal request to the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking the allotment of “Helicopter” symbol to its party candidate for the bye-election, adding that it is a recognised party in the states of Bihar and Nagaland.

On the other hand, Benjamin Yepthomi, President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), told this newspaper on Saturday evening that the party has decided not to nominate a candidate for the upcoming bye-election, citing its alliance with the NDPP.

Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema, national general secretary of National People’s Party (NPP), said that the party has not taken decision on participation in the bye-election. Amai Chingkhu, General Secretary of the Rising People’s Party (RPP), also told this newspaper that it has not reached at a decision on contesting the bypoll.

A member of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) also said that party is yet to take a decision regarding fielding its candidate for the Tapi bye-election.

Meanwhile, leaders of NPF Tapi unit, including its president T Aman, secretary and prominent members of the women and youth wings, submitted a mass resignation letter to the NPF Central Headquarters president on Saturday, mentioning their decision to leave the party. NPF candidate Wanglem Konyak for Tapi constituency in the 2023 Nagaland Assembly election, is also one of the signatories of the letter.

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