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Campaigning for lone seat in Nagaland picks up

Electioneering in Nagaland is gaining momentum with all the five candidates for the lone Lok Sabha seat from this Christian-dominated state going all out for the September 25 polls.

The BJP general secretary P B Acharya, in-charge of the northeastern border state and Lok Shakti organising secretary Nira Chakravorty have already campaigned for their party candidates.

Acharya during his visit on September 17, accused the state Congress of misleading the people by calling the BJP communal for the lack of a better issue. He warned the people against their ''divide and rule'' policy in the name of caste, creed and religion to gain ground politically.

Congress candidate K Asungba Sangtam who is trying to retain the seat is facing a challenge from N Rhets of the BJP and the combined candidate of the Nagaland People Council and the Nationalist Democratic Movement, Shurrozelie.

The Lok Shakti has fielded Akhei Achumi while the fifth candidate, Roland Loha, is an independent.

State chief electoral officer Lalthara yesterday expressed concerned over the landslides all over Nagaland which have blocked several important roads as this could hamper movement of vehicles and poll officials. He also expressed concern over the state's poor telecommunication infrastructure which delayed getting poll-related information.

State chief minister S C Jamir recently appealed to all the underground factions not to pressurise the voters to support or oppose any party.

Tension prevailed in some areas including Kohima due to the presence of armed cadres of rival underground factions official sources said.

Escalation of factional clashes during the election could lead to the breaking of the ceasefire agreement for violation of ground rules, officials sources said.

Altogether 9,56,989 voters(5,06,766 males and 4,50,223 female), are eligible to exercise their franchise in 1581 polling stations in the state.

About 9,486 polling personnel would be engaged for smooth conduct of the elections. They will start moving for their destinations from Wednesday onwards, Lalthara said.

Meanwhile, electioneering for the by-election to Alongtaki assembly seat, which goes to the polls on September 25 continued smoothly.

Congress nominee I Nukshi Longkumer is locked in a four-cornered contest with three Congress rebels who are contesting as independents. This assembly by-election was necessitated following the death of the sitting Congress MLA Tongpangnungshi.

UNI

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