The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Saturday named former legislator, Toshipokba Longkumer as the party candidate for the by-election of 26 Aonglenden Assembly constituency scheduled to be held simultaneously with the parliamentary polls on April 11.
However, the NPF is yet undecided over its candidate for the lone Parliamentary seat in the State.
In the Assembly elections in February last year, Toshipokba lost to NDPP candidate Imtikumzuk Longkumer by 88 votes. However, the by-election has been necessitated following the demise of Imtikumzuk on September 22 last year.
This is the second by-election for Toshipokba to be contesting from the same seat. In 2011, Toshipokba, as NPF candidate defeated veteran Congress leader and five-time chief minister, Dr S C Jamir in his own backyard, according to reports.
Toshipokba had contested again in 2013 Assembly polls as NPF candidate, but lost to Congress candidate Imtikumzuk, who later merged with NPF in 2015 along with other Congress legislators.
With the announcement of NPF nominee, the by-election to the 26-Aonglenden constituency will witness a four cornered contest among NDPP member and PDA consensus candidate Sharingain Longkumer, INC candidate Alemjongshi Longkumer, NPF candidate Toshipokba Longkumer and Independent candidate O Tinujungshi Longkumer.
A total of 12269 electorates, consisting 6098 male and 6171 female, will cast their votes for the by-election on April 11 in 16 polling stations.