Sharingain wins Aonglenden seat, youngest entrant to NLA

Morung Express News
Mokokchung | May 23

The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Sharingain Longkumer has become the newest and youngest entrant to the current Nagaland Legislative Assembly after securing a comfortable victory over Congress party’s candidate Alem Jongshi by a margin of 6245 votes in the bye-election to 26 Aonglenden Assembly Constituency that was held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections.

The 37-year old Sharingain Longkumer was handed over his certificate of election by the Assistant Returning Officer, Khiuzan Kaurinta here this evening at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Mokokchung.

Speaking to media persons after receiving his certificate of election, Sharingaing expressed gratitude to the electorate for electing him. Asked if he knew he would win the bye-election, Sharingain admitted that he initially had his reservations, being a fresh candidate. 

“At the same time, I knew the winning formula. I was confident,” he added, and said that God blessed him by “creating the right situation.” He added that the withdrawal of their candidatures by three candidates in the run-up to the bye-election was the turning point in the contest. He, however, said that he did not expect the winning margin “to be this huge,” which he said was a surprise to him. Sharingain secured the most votes in each of the 16 polling stations in the constituency while his opponent could secure only 2362 votes.

The newly elected legislator said that his immediate priority as an MLA would be to coordinate with the district administration and ascertain as to “what needs to be done.” He also said that 26 Aonglenden Assembly Constituency is a “prestigious constituency” and that he aspires to model it as the “nerve center for change.” While requesting the people to “embrace the idea of change” that would be brought about, he also requested them to cooperate and coordinate with him.

He said that the young voters in the age bracket of 18 to 35 years, who comprise more than half of the electorate in the constituency, had given their verdict and voice for change. Further divulging his plans, he said that the constituency was a complex one as it comprised of both rural and urban areas that require a two-pronged approach to address its various issues.

Although Sharingain won the bye-election by securing 8607 or 78% of the total votes cast, his party could secure only 6124 votes or 58% of the total votes cast in his assembly constituency for the parliamentary election, indicating a swing of 2483 votes in favour of the Congress party. On this, he pointed out that it was an indication of “the urban and rural disconnect.” He also acknowledged that his opponent party did their homework well and admitted that the Congress party has strong roots in the constituency.