The woman candidate, Kanili Kinilimi, who was the official candidature for the Congress from the Ward No 7, Dimapur, for the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), has announced her withdrawal from the municipal elections after being allegedly offered a “nominee seat” by the BJP legislator, Tovihoto Ayemi.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
A woman Congress candidate for the ensuing ULB elections (DMC) from Ward-7 has created havoc within the party’s integrity after she allegedly declared her candidacy to contest the ULB elections from BJP ticket.
An uproar was seen at her residence at Sematilla, Dimapur, where many of the Congress party workers including women and youth gathered on to the last-minute decision not to contest from the Congress ticket.
The woman candidate, Kanili Kinilimi, who was the official candidature for the Congress from the Ward No 7, Dimapur, for the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), has announced her withdrawal from the municipal elections after being allegedly offered a “nominee seat” by the BJP legislator, Tovihoto Ayemi.
With the many allegations made by the Congress party, Kanili, giving her time told media persons that she rejects the allegations that she was “bought” by the BJP although she placed that her seat to the DMC has been assured by Tovihoto Ayemi.
Informing that she faced difficulties in informing and coordinating about her decision to her election agent including the party officials (Congress), Kanili maintained that she was to submit her withdrawal from contesting the ULB elections of which she even relayed the message to her lawyer with the process of her withdrawal.
It was known that after getting wind of candidates’ policy and the newest development, the Dimapur Congress Committee (DCC) led by its president, Kutoho Chishi, visited the residence of Kanili, though taken by surprise had interaction with her.
Although Kanili has denied any acceptance of cash in lieu of her withdrawal, she however admitted to being assured of the government’s nominee seat after the ULB elections.
Kutoho Chishi further went on to add that the ruling NDPP-BJP alliance in the state should clarify to the public by why they are resorting to the unethical means of “buying” winning candidates with promises of post-poll rewards.
He also accused the NDPP-BJP coalition in the state of replicating prime minister of India, Narendra Modi’s modus operandi of buying off opposition candidates at the Centre.