Kohima, Feb 6 (IANS): Congress leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi will campaign for the assembly elections in Nagaland, a party official said Wednesday.

Sonia Gandhi will launch the party's campaign for the assembly elections Thursday at Mokokchung and Dimapur districts.

Manmohan Singh will address election rallies in Nagaland's capital Kohima next week.

Rahul Gandhi will tour the impoverished districts of Mon and Tuensang in eastern Nagaland tentatively Feb 14.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Defence Minister A.K. Anthony and other senior Congress leaders are also likely to address rallies in the state.

Nagaland will elect new legislators for the 60-member assembly Feb 23. Counting will take place Feb 28.

The Congress has been the principal opposition party in the state for the last one decade.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has exuded confidence that the Naga People's Front government will continue to rule Nagaland for third consecutive term.