52 former ministers in fray for Nagaland Assembly elections

Kohima, Feb 25 (UNI) As many as 52 former ministers, including two former Chief Ministers, Speaker and Deputy Speaker are contesting the March 5 Nagaland Assembly elections.

Outgoing Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is contesting from the Northern Angami-II Assembly Constituency on Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF) ticket, while former Chief Minister K L Chishi is a Congress candidate from Dimapur-I Assembly constituency.

Speaker Kiyanelie Peseyie is also in the fray from Western Angami constituency on NPF ticket while Deputy Speaker E E Pangteang is the NPF candidate from Moka constituency.

Similarly, former Speaker E T Ezung is contesting as Congress candidate from Bhandari and former Deputy Speaker H Chuba Chang is a Congress candidate from Noksen.

Among the former ministers, in Ghaspani-I, former minister Hewoto Awomi (Congress) and Khekiho Zhimomi (NPF) are in the fray and both were ministers in the outgoing Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government.

In Ghaspani-II, former minister Rokonicha is fighting as NPF candidate against former DAN minister and Independent candidate K Hollohon.

In Peren, Rajya Sabha Member T R Zeliang (NPF) will fight Congress candidate Vatsu Meru, both of whom were ministers in the outgoing DAN government.

Former minister Seyiekulie (Congress) will fight outgoing Urban Development Minister Shurhozelie, who is also the NPF president.

In Tseminyu former minister Nillo Rengma (Congress) is fighting former DAN minister R Khing.

In Longkhim Chare outgoing Transport Minister (DAN) Imtilemba Sangtam is contesting on BJP ticket against former minister S K Sangtam (Congress).

In Noklak, outgoing PHE Minister P Longon (NPF) is fighting former minister Sedem Khaming (Congress).

Altogether four women candidates are also trying their luck in the Assembly elections this time. However, not a single woman candidate has been elected in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly so far.

Former editor of Eastern Mirror, an English Daily published from Dimapur, V Abu Metha, also the NPF press secretary, is tryinbg his fate from the Dimapur-III constituency, while former Rajya Sabha Member and son of former Chief Minister S C Jamir is a Congress aspirant from Mokokchung town.

Former Nagaland commissioner T N Mannen is also contesting from the Impur constituency as an RJD candidate.

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