Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and cabinet minister V. Kashiho Sangtam lost to veteran politician Kipili Sangtam in 50- Seyochung Sitimi assembly constituency under Kiphire district in general elections for the 14th Nagaland Assembly.

Kashiho, who is the cabinet minister holding the portfolio of Soil & Water Conservation and also Geology and Mining, could not hold on to his seat despite a strong wave for NDPP-BJP alliance.

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Kipili Sangtam contesting on National People’s Party ticket polled 11,936 votes as he defeated Kashiho Sangtam (11006 votes) by a margin of 930 votes.

Kashiho had built up a handsome lead of 1739 votes by the 3rd round.

However, Kipili crawled back from the 4th round onwards and took a lead of 274 votes by the end of the 6th round.

Kipili could hold on to the slender lead, and in fact added some more as by the end of round 11 of counting, he had a substantial lead to win by a margin of 930 votes.

C. Kipili Sangtam

Sources have said incumbency factor and a late start to campaigning by Kashiho may have put a dent to his performance.

In 2018 Assembly elections, Kashiho had defeated Kipili Sangtam, then contesting as NPF candidate by 1162 votes.

Kipili Sangtam has served as Power Minister under the then CM T.R. Zeliang’s ministry before the 2018 polls.

The official candidate of the Indian national congress Khaseo Sangtam was a non-starter as NOTA polled more than him.