Neiba Kronu, Cabinet Minister, Planning & Co-ordination, Land Revenue, Parliamentary Affairs lost the assembly elections losing to independent candidate Dr. Neisatuo Mero by 104 votes in Pfutsero A/C under Phek District.

Trailing by a slender margin of 44 votes after the 3rd round (3778 vs 3822), Neiba Kronu took a lead of 248 votes in the 4th round.

In the 5th round, Neiba Kronu increased his lead to 335 votes.

However, Dr. Neisatuo Mero came back strongly in the 6th round where he polled 1569 votes compared to 842 votes by Neiba Kronu to take a lead of 392 vote going into the final round. The deficit could not be made up as NDPP strongmen and Cabinet Minister Neiba Kronu lost to Dr. Neisatuo Mero by a margin of 104 votes.

In 2018 general assembly elections, Neiba Kronu had defeated political veterans K. Therie and Thenucho to emerge victorious.

Then, Neiba Kronu had polled 6228 votes but beat his nearest rival Thenucho by 1314 votes.

Sources has said that consolidation of voters of Kikruma Village in favour of Dr, Neisatuo Mero has been the reason for defeat even though Neiba Kronu got more votes in 2023 (7704 votes) than in 2018 (6228 votes).

Neiba Kronu had been elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly election in 2008, 2003 and 2018 from Pfütsero constituency.