Kohima, May 15 (UNI) On the expiry of the last date of withdrawal of candidature yesterday, the May 28 Lok Sabha byelections in Nagaland will be a straight fight between the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Tokheho Yepthomi and opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) C. Apok Jamir.
The NDPP has fielded veteran politician Tokheho Yepthomi, who is also consensus candidate of the partners in the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) Government, comprises 18 legislators from NDPP, 12 from BJP, 2 from NPP, one each JD (U) and Independent MLAs. On the other hand, the opposition NPF has 26 legislators, the single largest party in Nagaland Assembly, has nominated former Rajya Sabha MP and former-MLA C Apok Jamir, who had previous experience in Delhi as Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland during 1998-04. .
Both candidates were long-time Congressmen who made history by joining Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) ministry along with all eight Congress MLAs in April 2015 which had BJP as part of the coalition Government. Later, all eight Congress MLAs “merged” with NPF at the later part of 2015. When as opposition Congressmen, both members were critical of the policies of the DAN with regard to handling of the Naga political issue especially the claims of being a ‘facilitators’ while not being involved in any way with the negotiations nor knowing what were discussed. Both lost the recently held elections in February 27 last under separate party tickets. The losses were their first time in their political careers Tokheho Yepthomi had contested as an NDPP candidate in the February elections and lost to NPF candidate Azheto Zhimomi, while C. Apok contesting as NPF lost to NDPP candidate and present minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Metsubo Jamir.
As none of the candidates withdrew nomination till the expiry of the official time this evening, Nagaland Commissioner and Returning Officer, M Patton said. While political parties are likely to launch the election campaign only on May 16, the RO said that the State is fully geared for the conduct of the bye-poll. Meanwhile, the RO today convened a closed door meeting with the candidates and political parties contesting the bye-polls at his conference hall in Kohima. Patton informed that the meeting deliberated on the peaceful conduct of the elections, while also requesting the candidates and political parties to strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct, which has been in force since the announcement of the polls on April 26 last.
Lok Sabha bypoll in Nagaland was necessitated following the resignation of then MP Neiphiu Rio to contest the state Assembly elections on February 17 last. Rio contested the February 27 Assembly elections on NDPP ticket and was declared elected uncontested from Northern Angami-II Assembly seat under Kohima district and he was elected by the PDA members as the Chief Minister of the State.
UNI AS KK