Nagaland is optimistic to send woman to parliament after a gap of 45 years, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee S Phangnon Konyak, 44, emerging as the front runner for the state’s lone seat in the March 31 Rajya Sabha election.
It was way back in 1977 when Rano M Shaiza was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nagaland. Four decades later, Konyak’s name figured in the saffron party’s list of candidates for four states, including Nagaland, which was released on Friday.
The development is significant as Nagaland is yet to elect a woman MLA even after 58 years of statehood.
While Chief minister Neiphiu Rio endorsed Koyank’s selection, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has other ideas. The NPF president Shurhozelie Leizietsu has asked legislature party leader TR Zeliang to take steps to contest the Rajya Sabha biennial election. The legislature wing of the party seems to endorse Konyak’s candidature but party president has his own candidate – Thenucho Tunyi, a former minister.
A senior leader of the NPF said that an emergency meeting of the party leaders and MLAs will be held on Sunday in Kohima to discuss the Rajya Sabha poll issue.
March 21 is the last day for filing nominations. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 22. The last date for withdrawal of candidatures has been scheduled on March 24. The counting of votes of the poll scheduled on March 31 will take place on the day of polling from 5 pm onwards. (ANI)