With Hekani Jakhalu’s Win, Nagaland Gets it First Ever Woman MLA

Jakhalu, 48, is a lawyer and activist.

New Delhi: Hekani Jakhalu on Thursday became the first woman to ever be elected as an MLA in Nagaland. Contesting as a candidate for the NDPP (an ally of the BJP), Jakhalu was declared the winner from the Dimapur III constituency.

Jakhalu, 48, is a lawyer and activist.

She defeated her nearest rival, Azheto Zhimomi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), by 1,536 votes.

A total of 183 people contested the elections in Nagaland this time – and only four of them were women. Another female candidate, NDPP’s Salhoutuonuo Kruse, is leading from the Western Angami constituency, NDTV reported.

So far in Nagaland, the BJP and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party under Chingwang Konyak are ahead in 37 seats, while the Naga People’s Front is ahead in 5 and Congress is ahead in 3.