Former Nagaland chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu wins assembly bypoll

GUWAHATI: After almost fourand-a-half years, former Nagaland chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu is all set to enter the assembly after his win in the bypoll. Liezietsu won from Northern Angami-I constituency defeating his rival Independent candidate Kekhrielhoulie Yhome by 3,470 votes. Liezietsu secured 8,038 votes and Yhome got 4,568 in the elections held on July 29.

Liezietsu won this seat for ninth time. Khriehu Liezietsü vacated this seat for his father Shürhozelie. In February, the political drama in Nagaland resulted in Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) electing the 81-year-old Shurhozelie Liezietsu as its leader.

But on July 19, Liezietsu was dismissed by the majority Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislators. Liezietsu’s attempt to enter the state assembly had trigged a fresh political crisis with 35 MLAs along with TR Zeliang raising the banner of revolt against Liezietsu’s leadership. Zeliang became the chief minister.


After winning the bypoll, Shurhozelie said, “I am thankful to the voters who continued to support me.” Liezietsu’s rival has been attacking him for not being the member of the assembly. Political observers feel the number in Shuhozelie camp increases by one MLA with the bypoll win. This will ensure Shuhozelie’s presence in the assembly.

According to them, the win will serve as morale booster for the former chief minister as Nagaland is going to polls next year. Meanwhile, NPF is on the verge of split. It has asked its rebel party legislators owing allegiance to Zeliang to return to the party fold before August 5, or face disqualification.