Nagaland’s second woman MLA Salhoutuonuo Kruse is an activist associated with women’s organisations

Earlier in the day, Hekani Jakhalu from the Dimapur III constituency became the first woman ever to be elected in the state; both are NDPP candidates

For Salhoutuonuo Kruse, 56, this election was her first foray into electoral politics. (Twitter/@ SalhoutuonuoKruse)

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Nagaland now has two women MLAs, with the NDPP’s Salhoutuonuo Kruse winning from the Western Angami constituency. The state, which has had 13 Assemblies so far, never had a woman MLA before Thursday’s result. Hekani Jakhalu, who won from the Dimapur III constituency, is the other woman MLA to be elected to the House.

Also Read | Nagaland gets its first woman MLA: ‘Only first battle won…will focus on youth and minorities’

Kruse and Jakhalu were the only two women candidates fielded by the NDPP. The BJP’s Kahuli Sema and the Congress’s Rosy Thomson, the two other women candidates in the fray, are trailing in their constituencies.

Today, we have created history!This momentous victory belongs to us. I owe this victory to God Almighty, and to my citizens of #8WesternAngami. I am very humbled by the support everyone has given me. Thank you for making this possible. I look forward to serving you.#KamPara pic.twitter.com/fbIWKCJafb

— Salhoutuonuo Kruse (@k_salhoutuonuo) March 2, 2023

For Kruse, 56, this election was her first foray into electoral politics.

She has, however, long been an active part of civil society organisations, having served as president and subsequently advisor of the Angami Women Organisation. Her late husband Kevisekho Kruse had been an NDPP candidate from the Western Agami seat in 2018. At the time, he had lost to the NPF’s Keneizakho Nakhro.

Nakhro went on to become one of the 21 Naga People’s Front (NPF) MLAs who jumped ship to the NDPP last year. He was, however, denied a ticket from the party this time and went on to contest as an Independent. Kruse and Nakhro faced off in a nail biting contest, and Kruse finally pulled through with a lead of just seven votes.

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