Parties gear up for Assembly bypoll in Nagaland

Major political parties in Nagaland are gearing up to contest the ensuing bye-elections for the prestigious Northern Angami-II Assembly seat scheduled for October 15.
The BJP state unit today nominated retired bureaucrat Visasolie Lhoungu as its candidate for the seat. BJP state president Dr M Chuba Ao announced Lhoungu's candidature in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary Paiwang Konyak in Dimapur.
The ruling Nagaland People's Front (NPF) has decided to field Dr Neiphrezo Keditsu for the bye-elections, who is also the son-in-law of former Chief Minister and present MP Neiphiu Rio.
The Opposition Congress, however, is yet to finalise on a candidate.

State Congress general secretary (admin) Medokul Sophie said the NPCC office bearers and Election Committee members would be holding a meeting tomorrow at the Congress Bhavan in Kohima to take a call on the issue.
Meanwhile, state BJP general secretary and spokesperson K James Vizo said since BJP was an alliance partner of the NPF-led DAN government in the state, it would be a friendly contest in the ensuing bye-elections.

The last date of filing of nominations for the bye-election is September 27.
The Northern Angami-II seat fell vacant after then Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio got elected to the Lok Sabha in May earlier this year.

Rio represented the seat six times from 1989- 2013 in the Assembly.