Kohima: The Congress will elect its Nagaland legislature party leader this afternoon at a meeting of its 23 newly-elected MLAs here in the presence of AICC observers.

Present CLP leader I Imkong said AICC general secretary in-charge of Nagaland Margaret Alva and AICC secretary Sidharth Patil will attend the meeting of the newly-elected legislators this afternoon.

The Congress hope of making a last-ditch effort to stake claim for power was dashed after four independents and two NCP legislators yesterday extended support to the leadership of former chief minister and NPF leader Neiphiu Rio and joined him to meet the Governor for staking claim to form the next government in the state.

"We are holding discussions with certain groups and like-minded independents since in politics everyone lives by hope," Imkong told newspersons.

Imkong, who retained his home constituency Jangpetkong in Mokokchung district, said the election results were a setback for the Congress as the party anticipated at least 28 seats.

"Money and muscle power influenced electioneering and prospects of the Congress was affected in a few seats where it was in a better position ahead of the polling day," he claimed.

Of the 59 seats, NPF won 26,Congress 23, NCP and BJP two each and independents six. Result of Surohoto assembly constituency under Zunheboto district was still awaited as election commission rescheduled the re-poll at a polling station there today.

Two attempts to hold re-poll at the booth failed following serious law and order problem there, official sources said.
Source : PTI