For the first time in 60 years, two women were elected as MLAs in the state of Nagaland. The two women are lawyers- Hekhani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo of the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party.
Hekhani Jakhalu defeated her nearest rival and sitting MLA Azheto Zhimoni of the Lok Janshakti Party by 1,536 votes. She is a lawyer and founder of YouthNet Nagaland, an organization that works for the upliftment of educated unemployed youth in the state.
The other winner, Salhoutuono Kruse, from the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, defeated the sitting MLA Keneizhakho Nakhro by a very narrow margin of just seven votes. She served as the President of the influential Angami Women Organisation. She is the widow of Kevisekho Kruse, a retired government employee who contested the previous Assembly elections on the same party ticket from the same seat but was defeated.
