60 years later, Nagaland gets its first two women MLAs in NDPP's Hekani Jakhalu, Salhoutuonuo Kruse

Nagaland got its first-ever woman MLA today, after 60 years since it attained statehood.

The ruling NDPP-BJP alliance seems to be headed towards a comfortable majority in Nagaland, as it is leading in 33 out of 60 assembly seats and its nearest rival Left-Congress alliance is ahead in 14 seats.

Meanwhile, the hilly state also scripted history in these elections by sending two women to the state assembly for the very first time, after 60 years since it attained statehood. These are Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu, both from Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

While Kruse won from the Western Angami AC assembly segment, Jakhalu clinched Dimapur-III constituency.

Four women candidates - Hekhani Jakhaulu, Salhoutuo Kruse, Hukali Sema and Rosy Thompson - contested the Nagaland Assembly election this time.

It must be noted that the only time the northeastern state saw a woman being elected through public mandate was in 1977, when Rano M Shaiza defeated former chief minister Hokishe Semato become a member of the Lok Sabha.

Not that women has not contested for election but they have never been voted to power. In 2018, Nagaland saw five female candidates contest elections, the highest ever.

In 2022, state Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing president S Phangnon Konyak was elected to the Rajya Sabha as a consensus candidate of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)

Who is Hekani Jakhalu?

Hekani Jakhalu is an Indian social entrepreneur and women's rights activist from Nagaland. She is the founder of YouthNet, an organization that focuses on youth development and employment in the region, and also founded the Women's Initiative for Social Entrepreneurship (WISE) in 2016.

Jakhalu has been recognized for her work in social entrepreneurship and women's empowerment, and has received numerous awards, including the Nari Shakti Puraskar (Highest Civilian Award for Women in India) in 2020. She continues to work towards empowering youth and women in Nagaland and beyond.

Jakhalu has a total net worth of Rs 5,58,78,769, according to her election affidavit published by My Neta. She studied at the University of San Francisco in 2003. She holds a masters degree.