Kohima is in the race, along with Chumoukedima, Peren and Zunheboto to elect the first woman legislator in the state.
Nationalist Democratic People’s Party has fielded two women candidates in the current elections, of which one candidate is from Kohima (8- Western Angami AC).
Naga People’s Front (NPF) secured victory in 38 seats in 2013 and 26 seats in 2018 could field only one candidate (10-Northern Angami-I AC) in the whole of Kohima District which has 6 Assembly Constituencies. Being the home district of its President ex-CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu, it was a disappointment for a lot of supporters of the regional party.
Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), the partner in ruling coalition is trying to open its account in Kohima district. It may be mentioned that no BJP legislator has ever been elected in Kohima district.
CM Neiphiu Rio, having been elected unopposed in 2018, has a young contestant fielded by the Indian National Congress.
Kohima is also witnessing a contest between a battle between candidate of political party and a candidate reportedly proposed and backed by societal mass.
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8-Western Angami AC
In 8 Western Angami AC, ex-MLA Keneizhakho Nakhro is contesting against Salhoutuonuo Kruse of NDPP. In 2018, Keneizhakho had won on an NPF candidate. However, he joined NDPP in 2022, but was to the surprise of many, denied NDPP ticket. He is contesting as an independent.
Asu Keyho, who is the president of Aam Aadmi Party in Nagaland is not contesting this time.
NDPP has fielded a women candidate Salhoutuonuo Kruse. She is the wife of Late Er. Kevisekho Kruse and a very active women leader in the society.
Keneizhakho is banking on being a charismatic pro-development youth leader, a philanthropist and a successful entrepreneur.
Salhoutuonuo Kruse, who has served in NGOs for more than 24 years, is working hard to script a new era by becoming the first elected women MLA in Nagaland. She has assured to bring equitable development to the constituency.
9-Kohima Town A/C
Kohima Town A/C is the biggest constituency in the district even though a significant number of the colonies in the town have been made part of Southern Angami-I and Western Angami Assembly Constituencies.
In 2018, ex-NPF MLA Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire contested under NDPP ticket and defeated new comer Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso of NPF by more than 2300 votes.
In 2023, Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso is contesting again but from a different party (National People’s Party). He is riding on his philanthropic activities and youth appeal to take on incumbent MLA Dr. Nicky Kire. Dr. Rhutso is a practicing surgeon and an entrepreneur who runs KOHIMAS Hospital in Kohima.
Dr. Nicky Kire (NDPP), the sitting MLA has won the constituency 3 times (2008,2013 and 2018). He is an experienced politician and fighting in the backdrop of the developmental works completed in Kohima city including good roads, road widening, multi-level parking, cultural centre etc.
A surprise yet welcome entry into the fray is Er. Meshenlo Kath of the Indian National Congress. He is a student leader and a social activist, who has taken a jump to mainstream politics. He is counting on his youthful exuberance in raising issues of the youth including employment for educated youth, backdoor appointments and higher education in the state.
10-Northern Angami-I AC
It is the only seat in Kohima district where NPF has fielded a candidate. NPF’s candidate is Khriehu Liezietsu the sitting 2-time MLA and son of Ex-CM & NPF President Shürhozelie Liezietsu.
Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome of Nationalist Democratic People’s Party is contesting his 2nd election on NDPP ticket, having contested and lost in 2018.
Khriehu Liezietsu is banking on his achievements in road development works, construction of indoor stadiums and assistance given to students, the elderly & needy during his tenure.
Kekhrie Yhome on the other hand is appealing to the electorate with his vision of establishes technical colleges and in ensuring participation of local communities in planning of development activities.
Kekhrie Yhome has claimed that NDPP-BJP alliance will definitely come to power and that the MLA of the constituency needs to be in the ruling government for development to flow.
On the other hand, Khriehu Liezietsu has claimed that there is a pre-poll understanding for post-poll alliance and that all 60 MLAs will work together post-election.
The constituency consists of Kohima Village and Chedema Village and 3 urban wards, and the results are expected to have a direct impact on the ULB elections which is reportedly scheduled to be held soon.
Both Kohima Village and Chedema village has already organised Common Platform events, which was well received by the electorates.
11-Northern Angami-II AC
The bastion of CM Neiphiu Rio, this constituency did not go to the polls last time in 2018 as CM Neiphiu Rio was elected uncontested as the NPF Candidate withdrew.
This time, Indian National Congress has fielded a rookie Seyievilie Sachu to take on the incumbent Chief Minister.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, an electorate said that it is a great thing that Seyievilie Sachu has decided to contest the elections and withstood the call for withdrawal of candidature. “Political parties and leaders should come and explain their programmes and agenda to the public. It is not good for democracy for a candidate to win uncontested”, he added.
As per sources, Seyievilie Sachu has said that in democracy, a candidate should not be elected uncontested. It is important to have reasonable political discourse and to give opportunity to the public to exercise their choice.
CM Rio is banking on the unstinted support given by the people of his constituency over the years to carry him through for another term as Chief Minister.
14-Southern Angami-I AC
Southern Angami-I constituency saw a four-cornered contest in 2018, with Vikho-o Yhoshu emerging victorious with 52% of the votes.
Er. Vikho-o Yhoshu, became the speaker of the assembly.
However, the 2-time MLA (2013&2018) met an unfortunate untimely demise in December 2019.
Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu had an untimely demise leading to a bye-poll which NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha won beating Independent candidate Seyievilie Peter Zashumo by 615 votes. Medo Yhokha polled 4721 votes, while Peter Zashumo 4106 votes. Kikovi Kirha (NPF) Naga People’s Front was third with 2565 votes.
This time, there are two candidates in the fray. Sitting MLA Medo Yhokha of NDPP will be taking on Kevipodi Sophie who is contesting as an independent.
Medo Yhokha is a former students leader and former president of Angami Youth Organisation and was a protégé of Vikho-o Yhoshu.
Kevipodi Sophie is reportedly one of the tallest leaders of present times in the region having being the President of Southern Angami People’s Organisation. He has stressed on decentralisation of decision maiking and community involvement in development projects as one of his agenda.
15-Southern Angami-II AC
In 2018, the contest was a straight fight between two contenders from Viswema village.
NDPP’s Zale Neikha defeated incumbent MLA Kropol Vitsu (NPF) by a narrow margin. The candidates were matched pretty across the constituency, except in Kidima where Zale took a substantial lead to secure victory.
In 2023, the constituency witnesses a 3-cornered contest this year. Sitting NDPP MLA Zale Neikha could not secure ticket from NDPP this time around as the ruling coalition has given the seta to BJP. Kropol Vitsu, who Zale Neikha had defeated in 2018 is contesting on a BJP ticket.
Zale is contesting in the backdrop of development works done in his constituency while trying to garner sympathy votes for denial of NDPP ticket.
Kropol has cited solving Kezoltsa dispute between Southern Angami and Mao community (Manipur) as a poll plank in addition to being the official candidate of NDPP-BJP ruling alliance.
There is a 3rd strong candidate in the fray.
Vipopal Kintso, is an experienced stateman and the ex-chairman of Kohima Municipal Council has entered the ring and is contesting as a Janata Dal (United) candidate.
