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{{Short description|Naga Indian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Family name hatnote|Kruse|lang=Angami}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Salhoutuonuo Kruse
| birth_name = Salhoutuonuo Kruneilie
| caption = Salhoutuonuo Kruse in 2023
| image = Salhoutuonuo Kruse.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1966|12|15}}
| birth_place = Kiruphema, [[Kohima district|Kohima District]], [[Nagaland]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| office = [[Fifth Rio ministry|Cabinet Minister]], [[Government of Nagaland]]
| predecessor =
| successor =
| governor = [[La. Ganesan]]
| 1blankname = Chief Minister
| 1namedata = [[Neiphiu Rio]]
| subterm = '''Cabinet'''
| suboffice = [[Fifth Rio ministry]]
| 2blankname = Ministry and Departments
| 2namedata =
* Women Resource Development
* Horticulture
| term_start = 7 March 2023
| office1 = [[Nagaland Legislative Assembly|Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency1 = [[Western Angami Assembly constituency|Western Angami]]
| term_start1 = March 2023
| term_end =
| predecessor1 = Keneizhakho Nakhro
| successor1 =
| party = [[Naga People's Front]]
| other_party =
| signature = Salhoutuonuo Kruse signature.jpg
| spouse = {{marriage|Kevisekho Kruse|October 1986|June 2021|end=died}}
| children = 2
| website =
| education = [[Ministers' Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School]]
| alma_mater = [[Kohima College]] {{small|([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])}}
| occupation =
| date =
| year =
| source =
| image_size = 150px
}}
'''Salhoutuonuo Kruse''' ({{née|'''Kruneilie'''}}; born 15 December 1966) is an Indian politician from [[Nagaland]]. In 2023, along with [[Hekani Jakhalu Kense]], Kruse became the first woman to be elected to the [[Nagaland Legislative Assembly]]. She was appointed the Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture in the [[Fifth Rio ministry|5th Rio ministry]], making her also the first female cabinet minister in Nagaland. She previously served as the president of the [[Angami Women Organization]].

== Early life ==
Salhoutuonuo Kruneilie was born 15 December 1966 to an [[Angami Naga]] family from Kiruphema.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/kgc-flays-alleged-impersonation-of-kruse/|title=KGC flays alleged impersonation of Kruse|date=5 July 2023|website=[[Nagaland Post]]|access-date=16 March 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260409140719/https://nagalandpost.com/kgc-flays-alleged-impersonation-of-kruse/|archive-date=9 April 2026}}</ref> She studied at [[Ministers' Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School]] in Kohima and later, completed her graduation from [[Kohima College]]. She married Kevisekho Kruse, an engineer on 2 October 1986.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=10 March 2023 |title=Salhoutuonuo Kruse, the first woman minister of Nagaland, made history in her debut fight |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/politics/salhoutuonuo-kruse-the-first-woman-minister-of-nagaland-made-history-in-her-debut-fight-16137921.htm |access-date=10 March 2023 |website=[[CNBC TV18]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324105600/https://www.cnbctv18.com/politics/salhoutuonuo-kruse-the-first-woman-minister-of-nagaland-made-history-in-her-debut-fight-16137921.htm|archive-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> Kevisekho retired as a chief engineer of Nagaland's [[Public Health Engineering Department]]. He later joined politics.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Morung Express News |date=4 June 2021 |title=Condolences pour in for Er Kevisekho Kruse |url=https://morungexpress.com/condolences-pour-in-for-er-kevisekho-kruse |access-date=12 September 2024 |work=[[The Morung Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324114114/https://morungexpress.com/condolences-pour-in-for-er-kevisekho-kruse|archive-date=24 March 2025}}</ref>

== Career ==
Kruse served as the President of the ''Angamimiapfü Mechü Krotho'' (now known as [[Angami Women Organization]]) from 2011 to 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://morungexpress.com/angami-women-organization-triennial-meet-held|title=Angami Women Organization triennial meet held|date=9 May 2011|website=[[The Morung Express]]|access-date=5 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121074120/https://morungexpress.com/angami-women-organization-triennial-meet-held|archive-date=21 January 2025}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web |date=2 March 2023 |title=Hekhani Jakhalu, Salhoutuonuo Kruse become first women MLAs in Nagaland assembly |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/election/hekhani-jakhalu-salhoutuonuo-kruse-become-first-women-mlas-in-nagaland-assembly-1196494.html |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324105600/https://www.deccanherald.com/election/hekhani-jakhalu-salhoutuonuo-kruse-become-first-women-mlas-in-nagaland-assembly-1196494.html|archive-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> She is also an advisory board member of the [[Angami Public Organization]], which is the male-dominated apex tribal body for the [[Angami Naga]].<ref name=":3" />

== Political life ==
Kruse's husband, Kevisekho Kruse, joined [[Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party]] (NDPP) in 2018 and fought the [[2018 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election|Nagaland Legislative Assembly election]] that year from the [[Western Angami Assembly constituency|Western Angami Assembly seat]] as the party candidate. He lost to [[Naga People's Front]] (NPF) candidate Keneizhakho Nakhro by 694 votes. Later, Nakhro joined the NDPP in 2022.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Morung Express News |date=29 April 2022 |title=Twenty one NPF MLAs join NDPP |url=https://morungexpress.com/twenty-one-npf-mlas-join-ndpp |access-date= |work=[[The Morung Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324111107/https://morungexpress.com/twenty-one-npf-mlas-join-ndpp|archive-date=24 March 2025}}</ref>

In the [[2023 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election|subsequent state elections]], Salhoutuonuo Kruse was given the NDPP party ticket over sitting MLA Nakhro for the Western Angami seat. The latter then fought the election as an [[Independent (politician)|independent]] candidate.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Kalita |first=Kangkan |date=3 March 2023 |title=Nagaland gets its 1st women MLAs |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/nagaland/news/nagaland-gets-its-1st-women-mlas/articleshow/98373779.cms |access-date=3 March 2023 |website=[[The Times of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324105600/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/nagaland/news/nagaland-gets-its-1st-women-mlas/articleshow/98373779.cms|archive-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> By standing for elections, Kruse said that she wanted to fulfil her husband's political vision.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 March 2023 |title=Salhoutuonuo Kruse- first woman minister of Nagaland |url=https://morungexpress.com/salhoutuonuo-kruse-first-woman-minister-of-nagaland |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref>

At the time of filing her nominations, Kruse was one of the 104 [[Crore|crorepati]] (₹10 million rupees) candidates in fray. With declared assets of over ₹129 million, she was in the top ten richest candidates standing for the state elections.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jamir |first=Moa |date=15 February 2023 |title=Nagaland Elections: 104 ‘crorepatis' in the fray; other with just over Rs 5000 |url=https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-elections-105-crorepatis-in-the-fray-other-with-just-over-rs-5000 |access-date=13 September 2023 |work=[[The Morung Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324114112/https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-elections-105-crorepatis-in-the-fray-other-with-just-over-rs-5000|archive-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> The elections for the [[14th Nagaland Assembly|14th Nagaland State Legislative Assembly]] was held on 27 February 2023. It was largely peaceful, albeit with a few pre- and post-poll incidents. However, it was marked with several allegations of [[proxy voting]] and other irregularities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jamir |first=Moa |date=30 December 2023 |title=Nagaland 2023: A Timeline |url=https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-2023-a-timeline |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=[[The Morung Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913163607/https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-2023-a-timeline|archive-date=13 September 2024}}</ref> The election results were announced on 2 March 2023. Kruse won the elections for the Western Angami seat by a margin of seven votes. She polled 7078 votes, while her nearest rival and sitting MLA Nakhro received 7071 votes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morung Express News |date=2 March 2023 |title=14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Elections Result |url=https://morungexpress.com/14th-nagaland-legislative-assembly-elections-result |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=[[The Morung Express]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913150551/https://morungexpress.com/14th-nagaland-legislative-assembly-elections-result|archive-date=13 September 2024}}</ref> By winning the seat, Kruse became the first elected woman of the [[Nagaland Legislative Assembly]] along with [[Hekani Jakhalu]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Dhar |first=Aniruddha |date=2 March 2023 |title=Nagaland scripts history in assembly election, elects 2 women candidates for first time |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nagaland-scripts-history-in-assembly-poll-elects-2-women-mlas-salhoutuonuo-kruse-hekani-jakhalu-for-first-time-101677742088284.html |access-date=2 March 2023 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423102909/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nagaland-scripts-history-in-assembly-poll-elects-2-women-mlas-salhoutuonuo-kruse-hekani-jakhalu-for-first-time-101677742088284.html|archive-date=23 April 2024}}</ref> Kruse later attributed her electoral victory by an extremely small margin to "God's providence."<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Morung Express News |date=14 March 2023 |title=‘Winning by 7 votes only through God’s providence,’ says Kruse |url=https://morungexpress.com/winning-by-7-votes-only-through-gods-providence-says-kruse |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref>

=== First term ===
During her first term as the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly]], Kruse was appointed the Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture in the [[Fifth Rio ministry|5th Rio ministry]].<ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2023 |title=Nagaland Cabinet allots portfolios |url=https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-cabinet-allots-portfolios |access-date=10 March 2023 |website=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref> She became the first female cabinet minister in Nagaland.

During her leadership, the state horticulture department, under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture launched the 'Horticulture Model Village' (HMV) programme in Nagaland. One village in each of the state's districts was identified with an emphasis on increasing horticulture crops.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Page News Service |first= |date=2023-09-15 |title=Kruse Launches Horticulture Model Village Project - Nagaland Page |url=https://nagalandpage.com/kruse-launches-horticulture-model-village-project/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Nagaland Page |language=en-US |archive-date=15 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915051410/https://nagalandpage.com/kruse-launches-horticulture-model-village-project/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 2023, Kruse declared [[Khonoma]] village the first HMV.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morung Express News |date=15 September 2023 |title=Khonoma village to be the 1st horticulture model village |url=https://morungexpress.com/khonoma-village-to-be-the-1st-horticulture-model-village |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref> During the fourth Organic Orange Festival of [[Rüsoma]] village, Kruse announced the inclusion of the village under HMV 2025. In 2024, the village had over 14000 fruit-bearing orange trees and over 28000 saplings planted. She suggested improving intercultural practices and indigenous wisdom and integrating modern horticultural techniques and development. She promised farmers market linkages for sale.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morung Express News |date=24 January 2024 |title=Celebrating bountiful harvest, 4th Organic Orange Festival begins in Rüsoma Village |url=https://morungexpress.com/celebrating-bountiful-harvest-4th-organic-orange-festival-begins-in-rsoma-village |access-date=15 September 2024 |work=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref> On 10 September 2024, Kruse announced the plan to set up an apple processing unit at [[Thanamir]] village which produces 40-50 tons of apple every year. The fruit is available from July to December every year. She also encouraged villagers to cultivate other suitable crops with the assurance that the state's horticulture department will provide assistance in market linkages, technical knowledge, and other support.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morung Express News |date=11 September 2024 |title=Nagaland’s Thanamir produces 40-50 tonnes of apples annually |url=https://morungexpress.com/nagalands-thanamir-produces-40-50-tonnes-of-apples-annually |access-date=15 September 2024 |work=[[The Morung Express]]}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Kruse is a [[Baptists|Baptist Christian]] and she attends [[Ministers' Hill Baptist Church]] in Kohima.

She was married to Kevisekho Kruse. They married on 2 October 1986 and had two daughters together.<ref name=":0"/> He later died from complications of [[COVID-19]] on 4 June 2021 at age 60.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://easternmirrornagaland.com/ndpp-holds-service-in-memory-of-k-kruse/|title=NDPP holds memorial service in memory of K Kruse|date=5 June 2022|website=[[Eastern Mirror]]|access-date=4 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121080959/https://easternmirrornagaland.com/ndpp-holds-service-in-memory-of-k-kruse/|archive-date=21 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nagalandpage.com/various-organisations-mourn-death-of-kruse/?amp=1|title=Various Organisations Mourn Death Of Kruse|date=4 June 2021|website=[[Nagaland Page]]|access-date=4 March 2023|archive-date=4 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304181650/https://nagalandpage.com/various-organisations-mourn-death-of-kruse/?amp=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Instagram|salhoutuonuokruse}}


{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kruse, Salhoutuonuo}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nagaland MLAs 2023–2028]]
[[Category:People from Kohima district]]
[[Category:People from Kohima]]
[[Category:Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party politicians]]
[[Category:Naga People's Front politicians]]
[[Category:Women from Nagaland]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women politicians]]

Salhoutuonuo Kruse - Revision history

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