Congress, NFP win one seat each in Nagaland bypolls

Kohima, Mar 12 (UNI) Ruling Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) and the Congress today shared one seat each in March 8 by-elections' to two assembly constituencies in the state.

While Tuensang Sadar II Assembly seat went to Congress, with the party candidate Mr Kejong defeating his nearest Independent rival Ms Rhakila by 625 votes, the Dimapur I seat went to NFP candidate Atomi Zhimoni.

Mr Kejong polled 5,947 votes. Ms Rhakila got 5,322 votes, according to Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer C J Ponraj.

In Dimapur-I Assembly constituency, NPF candidate Atomi Zhimomi was declared elected defeating his nearest Congress rival Aheto V.

Yeptho by a margin of 3,602 votes. Mr Zhimomi polled 7584 votes, while Congress candidate Aheto polled 3982 votes.

With the election of Mr Zhimomi, for the first time, both father and son will be a member in the same Legislative Assembly.

Mr Zhimomi's father, Mr Khekiho Zhimomi is presently the Industry and Commerce Minister in the state.

UNI