S. Pangnyu Phom who had been elected in Nagaland Legislative Assembly election in 2008, 2013 and 2018 from 50 Longleng A/C from Bhartiya Janata Party has been defeated by debutant A. Pongshi Phom in the General Assembly Elections 2023.

S. Pangnyu Phom is the current minister of Health and Family welfare in the fourth Neiphiu Rio Ministry and was contesting again on BJP ticket.

A. Pongshi Phom took the lead from the first round of counting itself with a lead of 886 votes and maintained the lead as he won in 6 out of the 7 rounds of counting.

Pongshi Phom lost just the second round of counting by 376 votes.

In the end, Pangnyu Phom lost by a huge margin of 5270 votes.

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Sources have told Nagaland tribune that a strong anti-incumbency factor resulted in denting the fortunes of Pangnyu Phom.

The other two candidate in the fray, Denngan Y. Avennoho of INC and Phuyam (Independent) were never in the race and ended up with meagre tally of 232 and 410 votes respectively.

Phangnyu Phom is a 3-time MLA from 50-Longleng A/C under Longleng district of Nagaland.

In 2008 he had served as parliamentary secretary for Rural Development. This was followed by a tenure as Minister for Industries and Commerce. In the current ministry, he was holding the charge of Minister of health & family welfare.

In 2018 Assembly elections, Phangnyu Phom had secured 9987 votes to defeat his nearest rival Y.B. Phom by 1006 votes.