Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 3
Former Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu from the Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Thursday won the bye-election to the 10th Northern Angami-I Assembly Constituency seat, defeating his rival independent candidate Kekhrie Yhome by a margin of 3470 votes.
And embattled Dr. Liezietsu, who was forced to vacate the Chief Minister’s seat after political turmoil in the state recently, secured 8038 votes, while Yhome got 4568 out of 12,679 total votes polled.
Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu being congratulated on his win in the 10 Northern Angami-1 By-Election in Kohima on August 3. (Morung Photo)[/caption] In postal ballot papers, Dr. Shurhozelie secured 12 votes while Yhome got 10. One vote was rejected out of a total 23 postal ballot papers. 72 votes were recorded under None of the Above (NOTA) category. After declaration of the results, Kohima Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer, Rajesh Soundararajan handed over the official certificate to Dr. Liezietsu in his office chamber.
This win puts Dr Liezietsu in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the 9th time. He had earlier won elections in 1969, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1993, 2003 and 2008.
Addressing a thanksgiving programme here organised by NPF Central office at Ruleizou, Dr Liezietsu said all the tall leaders of Nagaland and heavy weight politicians went against him, adding that “it was a very hard fight.” “I consider this victory as my biggest victory in my life,” he said.
He informed that the NPF, of which he is still president, would plan out new strategies and start working to strengthen the party.
Dr. Liezietsu was optimistic the NPF would provide a peaceful government after the 2018 Nagaland Assembly Election. Challenging all the divisions to take this as a good opportunity to select the best people, he advised them to be very serious in selecting candidates for the next state general election.
“We will return majority. We will try to defeat naughty people who have been creating problems all throughout these months, he said.
He reiterated that the NPF is the only political party in Nagaland which is deeply rooted within Naga society. “We represent the personality of the Naga people. We represent the identity of the Naga people,” he claimed.
Member of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha, KG Kenye thanked the voters of 10th Northern Angami-1 A/C for showing their commitment towards the party and ensuring Dr Liezietsu’s victory.
MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu meanwhile termed the victory as a “people’s victory, victory of the Nagas, and victory of truth and honesty.” He challenged the party men and women to stay united at this juncture “if we want to see more victories ahead of us.”
MLA Yitachu said that this is “the victory of Naga people to salvage our image to outside world and prov to the world that that Naga people stand together to protect its identity, history and ways of life. “We will stand by truth. We stand by the leadership of Dr. Shurhozelie,” he said.
MLA CL. John was meanwhile hopeful that Dr. Liezietsu through his victory in this bye-election would strive to repair the broken NPF wall. MLAs P Longon and Y Vikheho Swu also spoke at the function.
