Nagaland elects its first women MPs in 60 years
Talking to media persons after receiving the certificate of victory from the Kohima District Electoral Officer, Salhoutuonuo Kruse (56) said his victory was an opportunity to show that women play an important role in the decision-making body of the government for the welfare of the people. Can perform ,
Commenting on defeating sitting MLA Kenizhakho Nakhro by seven votes, she said, “I feel happy and thankful to God and people for giving me the opportunity to become an elected representative.”
The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Kruse got 7,078 votes in a direct contest from West Angami seat in Kohima district, while sitting MLA and independent candidate Nakhro got just seven votes less.
“It is all God’s grace because the margin was very small and there was also the support of the people that I got elected,” she said.
On her priority as a first-time woman legislator in the state, Kruse said she would try to help the government by playing a key role in the decision-making process for the general welfare of the people.
Kruse is the widow of a retired government employee, Kvisekho Kruse, who contested the last assembly election on an NDPP ticket from the same seat, but was defeated.
She had served as the president of the influential Angami Mahila Sangathan and also as an executive in the Angami Public Organisation, the apex tribal body here.
The two other women candidates in the fray for the assembly elections were Kahuli Sema of the BJP and Rosie Thompson of the Congress. Sema contested against MLA Picto in Etoizu and lost by 102 votes. Thompson fought against sitting MLA Namri Nachang and four others in Tening seat in Pereng district.
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