Kohima: Election campaignmpaign in Nagaland is gradually getting momentum as the Congress has declared 51 candidates for the February 23 state Assembly elections.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rao informed that the ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF) will declare its list tomorrow.
The All India Congress Committee announced the first list of 51 candidates for the Assembly elections.
According to reports, in the list of 51 names announced, among the prominent include NPCC president S I Jamir for Dimapur-II, CLP leader Tokheho Yeptho for Dimapur-III,former Chief Minister K L Chishi for Dimapur-I,former NPCC President K V Pusa for Southern Angami-II under Kohima district and former CLP Leader I Imkong from Jangpetkong under Mokokchung district.
The sources said the second list containing remaining candidates would be declared in couple of days.
Mr Rio, told reporters on he sidelines of a function of the Republic Day yesterday that the NPF Election Committee would meet at its head office at Kohima to finalise the list of NPF candidates and the list would be declared ono the day itself.
He also expressed his confidence to form the next government for the third time.
On the other hand, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has also announced its first list of candidates.
State NCP President Neiba Ndang will contest from Tening under Peren district, while former Home Minster and NPF outcast Dr T M Lotha has been allotted the Wokha Assembly seat. Former Transport Minister Imtilemba Sangtam would contest the Longkhim Chare Assembly seat under Kiphire district,T L Semdok for Longleng district headquarters seat and L Khumo for Thonoknyu seat under Tuensang district.
The candidates, whose names were announced in their respective parties lists, have started campaigns with very low keys, as the voting of Nagaland is different from other parts of the country.
Here voting depends on community, village and clan levels, and it is up to the candidate who can convince such levels.
Meanwhile in Tripura, both the ruling left front and opposition congress alliance has intensified door to door campaign avoiding traditional mass gathering.
The state witnessed silent poll campaign this time; mostly at booth level and even the ministers including chief minister Manik Sarkar was also moving at family level to convince the voters to cast the ballot in their favour.
Left Front candidates are in poll with the issues related to central govt policies, entry of foreign investment in retail sector and corruption while opposition had been campaigning for change highlighting growing unemployment and joblessness, increasing incidences of crime against women, non-implementation of 6th central pay commission for govt employees as well as corruption and nepotism of the ruling party.
Moreover, left front retained its strategy of nominating their long projected candidates in the particular constituencies, but congress brought young and educated candidates comparatively the anticipated personalities did not get tickets that triggered turmoil among the supporters at initial stage.
Similarly, early announcement of candidates and election manifesto have given some extra advantages to the opposition to counter the prospect of left front candidates.
In 2008 election results, more than 10 left nominees were won with less than 1000 margin and 15 others had been secured victory with 1000-2000 votes, which was mainly targeted by the opposition.
At the same time, deletion of 46000 odd fake voters and inclusion of 75000 new voters following persuasion of congress have appeared to put left front into trouble in a few winning seats. (UNI)
