DAN, Congress file nominations for RS seat

Kohima, Jun 17 (UNI) The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) and the Opposition Congress have filed the nominations for one candidate each for the lone Rajya Sabha seat for Nagaland, the by-election of which is scheduled on June 26.

Assembly Secretary Newmai, in a notification issued here yesterday, said both the candidates filed their nominations to the Returning Officer for the Rajya Sabha election N Benjamin Newmai.

With the nominations of both DAN candidate - former state Industry Minister Khekiho Zhimomi - and Congress candidate - former Finance Minister in the DAN Ministry Kewekhape Therie - who has now joined the Congress, there will be a straight fight between the ruling DAN and the Opposition Congress, if both the nominations are found valid after scrutiny today.

Both the candidates had lost the elections to the Nagaland Assembly, held on March five.

Mr Khekiho (Nagaland Peoples Front) lost from the Ghaspani-I constituency under Dimapur district, while Mr Kewekhape (Congress) lost from the Pfutsero constituency under Phek district.

The by-election for the lone Rajya Sabha seat was necessitated following the resignation of sitting Rajya Sabha Member T R Zeliang, who was elected to the Nagaland Assembly from Peren Constituency under Peren district and accordingly appointed as state Minister for Planning and Coordination, Evaluation, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and Parliamentary Affairs.

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