Dimapur | February 6 : With the Lok Sabha elections less than two months away, Nagaland is also warming up for the poll. The two major parties Indian National Congress and Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) are  already on to prospective candidates. Though none of the two parties have come to a definite decision, the debate has begun with several candidates being put under the scanner in order to come up with the most “winnable” choice.

The NPF party is said to be weighing the prospect of several heavyweights who are contending for the coveted ticket. Some of the names doing the rounds include former Home Minister in the previous NPF regime Thenucho, former MLA Bukchem Phom and retired bureaucrat and NPF leader CM Chang. Besides, former Nagaland Commissioner, TN Mannen’s name is also being floated. The surprise package is in the form of  a social worker and son of Congressman Yamakam, Toshi Wangton, who also happens to be the general secretary of the ENPO.

Rajya Sabha MP and member of the NPF Working Committee, K. Khekhiho Zhimomi disclosed that the party has not finalized on a candidate but confirmed that the party has “a few strong aspirants”. Confirming C.M. Chang as a prospective candidate, the Rajya Sabha MP was only willing to say that the retired bureaucrat was “not a weak candidate”. However, Khekhiho dismissed speculations that an “eastern” Nagaland candidate would be the NPF’s obvious choice saying it did not necessarily have to be so. But he  added that the party was considering all aspects before making a final decision. The Rajya Sabha MP let on that the party would not encourage any more candidates from applying for the NPF ticket. Nevertheless  he added that the party would look into other candidates if applications come in. Disclosing that the party would probably have a decision by the last week of February, Khekhiho said the other parties of the DAN alliance could  also have their own candidates as it concerns  election. However he hoped that as the major partner in the DAN, the other parties would find a consensus candidate in the choice of the NPF party.

In the meantime, one of the front runners  C. M Chang said  he had not applied for the NPF ticket to the Lok Sabha. Still, Chang added that he would willingly contest the election if the party happens to choose him. Talking about his chances of winning, C.M Chang exuded confidence by saying that the person selected by the ruling party in the state, would most definitely win the Lok Sabha polls too. The retired bureaucrat continued that if he was to be selected and elected to the Parliament, his most important agenda would be to bring a solution to the Naga political problem. “How long can we remain like this?” he exclaimed. Some solution needs to come and Naga leaders have a lot to do in Delhi, he said.

Former bureaucrat and also former candidate of RJD, T. N Mannen also confirmed his intention saying that the choice of candidate for the Lok Sabha would be a very important decision for the NPF party as Nagaland has only one Lok Sabha M.P. “There is a lot of misconception about us, Nagas in Delhi” Mannen said. He emphasized that the Naga representative to the Lok Sabha would have to present sensitive issues like border, development issue and most importantly the Naga political issue and give Delhi the “right prospective about our people properly”.  Therefore he opined that the NPF party would do well in selecting a candidate on the basis of capability and merit. Talking about his chances of being selected, Mannen said  one should not think that only an “ENPO candidate” has winning chances. The selection of Lok Sabha MP should not be on party lines because “parties may come and go but the state remains stuck with the lone MP”, he added.

Social activist and ENPO representative to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Toshi Wangton also confirmed his intention to contest from the NPF ticket nothwithstanding the pressure from civil society and tribal organisations. He maintained that the ENPO does not want to live in isolation and he would be a bridge to the rest of the Nagas while also putting forth the Naga predicament before Delhi in the ‘right light’. “The tribal organizations have put the issue before the chief minister. If he accepts, well and good if not, that’s fine”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress is not far behind with almost the same number of candidates seeking the party’s ticket to the Lower House of the Parliament. The two main aspirants from the national party seem to be the former Lok Sabha MP of Nagaland Padmashree Asungba Sangtam and  present Nagaland Lok Sabha MP from the NPF party/ticket   Wangyuh Konyak. Besides these two towering figures, another contender is former state Finance Minister, K  Therie. According to unconfirmed reports, former CLP Leader, I. Imkong’s name is also doing the rounds.

NPCC president, KV  Pusa remained tightlipped over the Congress’ choice for the Lok Sabha ticket by saying that the party has not thought about it so far. He however, confirmed that NPCC members and party leaders from the state had left for Delhi to attend the national convention on Sunday during which the Lok Sabha election would be discussed.

However party sources confirmed that the Congress had received some applications and supplications for the lone ticket and the party was studying several choices before making the final decision. It was also disclosed that as of now, the former MP, Asungba Sangtam was the strongest choice of the party.

The Ex-Finance Minister of the DAN Alliance, K. Therie has outrightly denied having sought the Congress ticket to the Lok Sabha even as party sources confirmed his intentions. On being queried on whether he would contest the election if the Congress were to offer him the ticket, Therie said that he had not “applied” his mind to the matter but that he is still a Congressman.

Meanwhile, Congress party sources have confirmed that the present Lok Sabha MP of Nagaland, W. Wangyuh Konyak is also seeking a ticket for the second term. The M.P is said to be quite confident of attaining the ticket “from Delhi” even if he is not given one by the party members in the state.