Tamenglong, February 09: Campaigning for the forthcoming Assembly elections has stepped up in the three Assembly segments of Tamenglong district where a total of 10 candidates of various parties are in the fray.

The elections for Tamenglong Assembly constituency, Tamei A/c and Nungba A/c are to be held on February 21 next, along with other Assembly segments in the hill districts.

Tamenglong headquarters, Tamei, Nungba, Khoupum and Noneh are now a sea of election flags and posters.

Compared with the last elections, open campaigning and canvassing is at a low key while behind the scene activities and camera meeting have dominated this time.

In interaction with the people at Tamenglong HQ, the general consensus seems to be that the fight in Tamenglong A/c will be between INC candidate P Khangthuanang and Federal Party candidate Samuel Jendai.

In Nungba, an elderly man summed up the situation as a constituency that is likely to see a close fight between Federal Party leader Prof Gangmumei Kamei and the INC candidate Gaikhangam.

The role of money power seems to be high this time, admits one voter, though he said the result is any one�s guess, since BJP candidate Ashinpao Gangmei is also on a good run.

Tamei is the biggest constituency in Tamenglong district having 54 polling stations whereas Tamenglong and Nungba have 32 polling stations each.

In the Tamei area Liangmei Naga dominates, accounting for about 60% of the total voters, the rest being Kabui, Zemei and Kuki.

Three candidates are in the arena here � two candidates from Tamei sub-division and one from Tousem sub-division.

The former MLA Z Mangaibou INC candidate is pitted against BJP candidate Athuan Abonmei and Samata candidate Lungsu Panmei, the lone Kabui candidate in this constituency.

One of the older voters says that Kuki voters will be the deciding factor this time since no Kuki candidate filed nomination papers.