Kohima, Feb. 4: The wife of Nagaland?s first chief minister has accepted the challenge of ousting the one who is in charge at present.
Chubala Ao, a Padmashree, will take on S.C. Jamir in Aonglenden constituency of Mokokchung district, a seat the chief minister has retained for several terms. She will be contesting the election as a representative of the newly-formed Nagaland People?s Front (NPF).
Ao, whose husband P. Shilu Ao had steered Nagaland through its first few years as a state of the Indian Union, was offered the poll ticket at a convention of the NPF. While addressing the gathering, she grieved over the ?plight of Nagaland?.
Jamir?s opponent hails from Chuchuyimlang town of Mokokchung district. The chief minister is from Ungma, which is the second biggest village in Asia. The clash of the titans, one a battle-scarred politician and the other an idealistic old-timer, will take place on February 26.
?Most politicians are scared to take on Jamir, but this woman has stood up to be counted. However, it remains to be seen how she will go about challenging Nagaland?s most powerful leader,? a local political activist said.
Jamir?s morale has been lifted by the announcement that Congress president Sonia Gandhi will address an election rally in Mokokchung town on February 17. She will also address rallies at the district headquarter towns of Dimapur and Tuensang.
Though the chief minister is still tipped to retain his seat, the announcement of Ao?s candidature has generated interest among the electorate.