T Chalukumba Ao, the official Congress candidate for the upcoming bye-election to the 28 Koridang AC, addresses the formal handing over programme of the party ticket at Congress Bhawan, Kohima on March 21. (Photo Courtesy: NPCC)
Koridang bye-poll widens to four-way contest
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 21
The upcoming bye-election to the 28 Koridang (ST) Assembly Constituency has now turned into a four-cornered contest, with the Indian National Congress announcing its candidate and an independent entrant joining the race ahead of the nomination deadline.
As per an official communication from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), party president Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the candidature of T Chalukumba Ao for the April 9 bye-election.
Meanwhile, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) informed that the party ticket was formally handed over to Ao by its President Supongmeren Jamir at Congress Bhawan, Kohima on Saturday.
The NPCC expressed confidence in his leadership and called on party workers and supporters to unite behind him for the upcoming bye-election. Ao had contested the 2023 Assembly election from the same constituency as a Janata Dal (U) candidate but was unsuccessful.
In a parallel development, Imtiwapang has announced his candidature as an Independent. According to a media statement, he declared his intent to contest with the ‘blessing’ of the Chungtia Village Council (Yimden) on March 20.
The National People’s Party (NPP) has also fielded I Abenjang, although the decision has triggered dissent within sections of its State unit, with the party issuing a showcause notice to a legislator for alleged “Anti-Party Conduct and Breach of Party Discipline.”
Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Daochier I Imchen, son of late Imkong L Imchen, as the ruling PDA’s consensus candidate. The bye-election was necessitated by the demise of the five-time legislator on November 11, 2025.
The BJP currently has 11 members in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, while the NPP has five, and the Congress has no representation.
With four candidates now in the fray, the Koridang bye-poll is set for a multi-cornered contest. The final line-up will be confirmed after the close of nominations on March 23, while March 26 has been fixed as the last date for withdrawal of candidature.
