Salhoutuonuo Kruse becomes first woman minister of Nagaland. 5 things to know about her

Salhoutuonuo Kruse, one of the first women elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, took oath as a minister at a swearing-in ceremony in Shillong in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

The Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate from Western Angami seat defeated Keneizhakho Nakhro, an independent candidate, by only seven votes.

Besides Kruse, Hekani Jakhalu, another NDPP candidate, from Dimapur-III constituency also won the February 27 election for the 60-member assembly. The poll results were announced on Thursday.

Here are the five facts about Kruse:

1. Salhoutuonuo Kruse, a local hotel owner, contested her first election against Keneizhakho Nakhro, an independent candidate.

2. The 56-year-old is the widow of late NDPP candidate Kevisekho Kruse who lost the 2018 elections. She said that she wanted to fulfill the visions of her husband.

3. Kruse completed her pre-university from Kohima College in 1986. She is the proprietor of a private school in Chümoukedima district in Nagaland.

4. Kruse has been actively involved with various civil societies for over two decades. She served as the president of the Angami Women Organisation in the past.

5. She also served as an advisory board member in Angami Public Organisation, her tribe’s male dominated top body.

Neiphiu Rio took oath as the chief minister of Nagaland for the fifth straight term. The NDPP-BJP coalition, in the recently concluded Nagaland election, won 37 seats in the 60-member assembly. All other parties in the state subsequently extended their letters of support to the Rio-led alliance.