Kohima, Jan. 27: Kihoto Hollohon, a former aide to Nagaland chief minister S.C. Jamir, is now all set to contest the Assembly elections after a gap of five years. But the former industries minister will not be with Jamir this time and may join his cousin, K.L. Chishi, another former chief minister and Jamir’s arch rival.

Hollohon was in the news when his wife and family members were killed in a car bomb blast triggered by militants on December 25, 1996. Since then he had taken a sabbatical from active politics.

“My interest is only the Naga problem,” the former minister told The Telegraph today. Speculation was rife that he may join Chishi’s Nationalist Democratic Party. Though he admitted to having spoken to Chishi on the issue, he declined to give a commitment on joining the party. Hollohon said he was yet to join any political party though he has got feelers from some.

Hollohon said he was looking for friends and then added, “I will contest from Dimapur III constituency.” Sources said Hollohon did not get along with Chishi in 1990, but a source said they are trying to patch up.

The source said Hollohon’s chances of joining the Nagaland People’s Front was slim considering the party’s closeness with the NSCN (I-M). It is alleged that the outfit had a hand in the attack on Hollohon’s family.

Chishi’s Nationalist Democratic Party has announced that it would contest 20 seats. The party is hoping to gain in Dimapur and Zunheboto districts where the Sema tribe has its base.

The Opposition is planning a rally in Kohima on January 31, which will be addressed by defence minister George Fernandes. He will arrive in Dimapur on January 31 along with other senior National Democratic Alliance leaders and leave the same day.

Sources said the rally would officially launch the campaign of the Opposition in its drive to take on the Congress in the Assembly elections. Former Nagaland home minister and senior NPF leader Neiphiu Rio, who was the convenor of the rally, will also speak on the occasion.