Independent candidate for Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland, Hayithung Tungoe Lotha has on Wednesday claimed that he is receiving “intense pressure from various quarters” to make him withdraw his candidature. However, Lotha asserted that he would continue to stand by his political ideology, philosophy and principles.

He therefore urged people not to believe in rumours of him withdrawing from the race. “There is absolutely no truth in it as I am not a money/material wealth monger,” he said.

The Independent candidate also claimed that various political alliances want him on their side as “I am a man deeply rooted in Naga Nationalism and the greater interest of the Nagas as a whole”.

Hayithung Tungoe Lotha filed his nomination on 22nd March. He had previously contested in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with NPP ticket. He had also contested in the 2023 Nagaland Assembly elections from 37 Tyui A/C as an Independent candidate.

In this election, he will be up against PDA’s consensus candidate Dr Chumben Murry and Congress’ S Supongmeren Jamir.