The newly elected MP CM Chang expressed his gratefulness to the people for reposing their faith on the DAN government under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and electing him. “We’re happy that the people gave their mandate on the DAN coalition under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. The result confirmed that people are happy with the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio,” he stated. 

He also assured the people of the state that he “will not betray the Nagas” and said that his priority would be on the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks. On the developmental front, he pointed out that Nagaland being a special category state, should also be equally provided with facilities which are available in other parts of the country such as airways and railways and assured to work for the same. 

Abu Metha, Press secretary to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio while commenting on the election of the DAN consensus and NPF candidate CM Chang stated that “the Naga people voted for development and endorsed the political leadership of Neiphiu Rio and more so good governance.” 

Congress candidate K Asungba Sangtam expresses his gratitude to the people who stood by him in the recently concluded elections “I concede my defeat and congratulate Mr C. M. Chang on winning the 15th Lok Sabha elections in the country from the Nagaland Parliamentary constituency. I wish him all the very best in his endeavors” 

stated the two time MP in a release. Asungba thanked the people of Nagaland, Congress leaders and workers, RJD party leaders, the church and NGOs, friends, well-wishers and family members for their constant support throughout the election campaign. 

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the victory of the DAN consensus NPF candidate is a mandate for unity, reconciliation and a people’s victory in favour of the peace initiatives instituted by the DAN Government. 

Thanking the people of Nagaland for their ‘clear and convincing verdict in favour of the DAN Government’, the Chief Minister said the ‘victory will give us renewed commitment to work harder for the welfare of the people and the uplift of the state’. 

Meanwhile the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, while congratulating the victorious NPF candidates blamed the ‘undemocratic means adopted by the NPF and the DAN alliance’ for its defeat. 

In a press release NPCC President KV Pusa alleged that the DAN rigged the recently held by-elections and Parliamentary polls stating and stated that ‘It is known to all that NPF and the DAN had indulged in undemocratic means, by involving even anti-social elements and subsequently thousands of genuine voters were barred from voting’.

It may be recalled that in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, NPF won by a big margin of 4.52 lakhs votes. The victory margin of 4.52 lakhs was the fourth highest victory margin in the 2004 Parliamentary elections in the country. 

The state has a total electorate of 13, 17,729 lakhs and three candidates- C. M Chang (NPF), K. Asungba Sangtam (Congress) and Dr. Rilangthung Odyuo (AITC) contested the lone seat.

Sending more shockwaves to the already eroding opposition Congress party in the state, the ruling NPF made a clean sweep and won all four assembly seats by huge margins in the by-election whose result was declared recently.

The ruling NPF candidates- Azheto, Deo Nukhu T. Aloh Wangham and Kejong Chang wrestled back all the four Assembly segments in the by election whose results were declared recently. All the four had earlier vacated their seats from the State Assembly and resigned from the Congress party to join the NPF party and to contest the polls. 

With the win, the NPF tally has now gone up to 30 legislators in the 60 members’ house while the opposition Congress has now 19 MLAs. 

In 3-Dimapur – III, Azheto (NPF) defeated his nearest contender Vikheho (Congress) by a margin of 8054 votes. Azheto polled 12397 votes while Vikheho polled 4365 votes. Similarly, Deo Nukhu (NPF) defeated former finance minister and Congress stalwart K. Therie by 6663 votes. Deo polled 13971 while K. Therie polled 7308 votes.

In the 41st Tizit A/C, T. Aloh Wangham (NPF) defeated RJD candidate Paiwang by a margin of 2840 votes. The third candidate and outgoing Lok Sabha MP and Congress nominee W. Wangyuh Konyak could poll only 1470 votes. Aloh polled 8749 votes while Paiwang polled 5909 votes.

In the 54th Tuensang Sadar –II, Kejong Chang defeated Wongto Chang by a margin of 5653 votes. Kejong polled 11345 votes while Wongto polled 5692 votes. 

With the winning of four more seats, the NPF is now just short of one legislator to achieve simple majority in the 60 member house.

Xavier Rutsa