S Phangnon Konyak becomes Nagaland’s 1st woman Rajya Sabha MP

Kohima: S Phangnon Konyak, on Thursday, became the first woman Rajya Sabha (RS) member from the state as she was declared duly elected uncontested to fill the Nagaland’s lone seat in the Council of States.

The declaration of the result was made by Returning Officer Khruohituonuo Rio, Additional Secretary of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, after the last hour for withdrawal of candidature on Thursday.

The term of sitting RS member KG Kenye is due to expire on April 2.

Konyak, who is the state unit’s BJP mahila morcha president, filed her nomination on March 21 and the nomination paper which was scrutinized the next day was found valid.

A day after Konyak’s nomination was filed, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had said that she is the “right person” for the lone seat from the state.

“We feel that she is the right person, being a woman in the first place. Just the other day, we agreed to women’s reservation in the ULBs and now we are selecting a woman for the Rajya Sabha. This means that our people are also having a lot of respect and updating themselves,” Rio said.

She is also the second woman parliamentarian from the state after Rano M Shaiza, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1977 as an Independent.

Rio took to Twitter to congratulate Konyak saying, “Congratulations, Smt. Phangnon Konyak @phangnon on being elected to the @RajyaSabha and also on becoming the first Naga woman to represent Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha. I am confident that you will represent our state exceptionally well. I wish you the best for a successful tenure.”

“Grateful for the wishes and the opportunity given to shoulder this responsibility,” the newly elected member of the Rajya Sabha tweeted.

Meanwhile, Abu Metha, adviser to Nagaland CM, also took to Twitter, “Congratulations to @phangnon on being elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland. This is more than a historic moment! So happy to see the first Naga woman in the upper House of Parliament. More than Symbolic! Best wishes to her for a successful tenure.”

BJP national spokesperson and MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon wrote, “This is it! History is created in Nagaland!”

Several others also took to Twitter to congratulate Konyak. “Hearty Congratulations @phangnon for representing not only the Nagas, in particular but NE women in general. We wish you the best in your leadership,” the NDPP women organization tweeted.

Temjen Imna Along, state BJP president also said, “Thank you @Neiphiu_Rio for your commuted leadership and support to @BJP4Nagaland and @BJP4India. Women empowerment at its best @phangnon. Appreciated.”

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