Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu become 1st women MLAs from Nagaland

Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu become 1st women MLAs from Nagaland: Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekani Jakhalu, both from the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, made history by becoming the state assembly election’s first female candidates. In a significant milestone, people in Nagaland have elected two women candidates after 60 years since it attained statehood. Kruse won from Western Angami AC and Jakhalu clinched Dimapur-III constituencies.

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According to the Election Commission of India, the ruling NDPP-BJP alliance won five seats and was leading in 34 seats in the Nagaland assembly election. This year, the four women candidates who contested elections are Jakhalu, Kruse, Rosy Thomson of the Congress and Kahuli Sema of the BJP. While women have contested elections in Nagaland, they have seldom been voted into power. Rano M Shaiza was the only woman elected to the Lok Sabha in 1977, and S Phangnon Konyak became the first woman to secure a seat in the Upper House in 2022.

Who is Hekani Jakhalu?

Hekani Jakhalu, a Delhi University graduate and US-educated lawyer turned social entrepreneur, has won the Dimapur-III seat as part of BJP’s ally NDPP. Her manifesto focuses on youth development, women’s empowerment, minority rights, and creating a model constituency. Jakhalu was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar for her efforts to promote gender equality. She founded YouthNet, an organization dedicated to empowering young people in the area.

Who is Salhoutuonuo Kruse?

Salhoutuonuo Kruse, also a NDPP candidate, is a local hotel owner. She has contested against Keneizhakho Nakhro, an Independent. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio have been heavily campaigning for Kruse in recent weeks.