The bye-election to the 43rd Tapi Assembly Constituency on November 7 will witness a see ‘straight’ contest between the Indian National Congress’ Wanglem Konyak (top) and the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party’s Wangpang Konyak. (Image Courtesy: https://ceo.nagaland.gov.in/)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 24
With no withdrawals of candidatures being reported from either side on the last day of withdrawal on October 23, the bye-election to the 43rd Tapi Assembly Constituency (AC) on November 7 will witness a 'straight' contest between the ruling NDPP and the Nagaland Congress.
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is fielding Wangpang Konyak, considered a protégé of the previous incumbent, late Noke Wangnao, who held the seat for nine terms—1974, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1989, 2003, 2013, 2018, and 2023.
The Indian National Congress’ (INC) Wanglem Konyak contested as a Naga People's Front (NPF) candidate during the general elections to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly held on February 27 this year.
Wanglem nearly dislodged late Noke from his home turf and lost the election by a mere 82 votes, with 39.5% of the vote share, against the latter's 40.1%.
While officially it is a straight contest, Wangpang can be seen as the consensus candidate for the ruling BJP-NDPP alliance in Nagaland.
"We are fully committed to upholding the alliance spirit…extending our full support to the candidature of NDPP for the upcoming bye-election in 2023," Nagaland Bharatiya Janata Party President Benjamin Yepthomi has stated when the NDPP announced Wangpang's candidature.
On October 17, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Nagaland State, also resolved to extend support to the NDPP's official candidate.
The bye-election for the 43rd Tapi AC is scheduled to be held on November 7, and the results will be declared on December 3.
