NDPP-BJP in Nagaland; NPP+ in Meghalaya and BJP+ in Tripura
NDPP and its BJP alliance partner retained power in Nagaland winning 37 seats in the 60-member Nagaland assembly. While NDPP won 25 (up from 18 in 2018), BJP won 12 seats, the same number it had won in 2018.
In Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma is set to become chief minister for the second consecutive term when his party NPP 26 seats is likely to forge a post poll alliance with previous partners– UDP (11), BJP (2), HSPDP (2), PDF (2) while TMC (5) and Cong (5), VPP (4), Ind (2) were not in alliance in the previous house.
In Tripura the BJP stormed to power on its own winning 32 seats despite strong anti-incumbency. CPI(M) won 11, its alliance partner Congress 3, BJP ally IPFT 1 and Tipra Motha Party won 13. (More on p-4)
NDPP-BJP RETAIN POWER: The NDPP-BJP had fought the elections on 40:20 seat sharing arrangement. Of 25 newly elected NDPP members 13 are new comers while BJP has six newcomers out of 12 who won recently.
Since the NDPP-BJP alliance already has the number: 37 way beyond the half-way mark of 31; it may not need to form post-poll alliance with other parties. LJP(RV) had been insisting that since it has an alliance with BJP at the national level,the same will be maintained in Nagaland. Even NPP will go into alliance with BJP in Meghalaya and the same equation in Nagaland could be maintained. The NCP is not an alliance partner with BJP but in Nagaland there is no discrimination. All would depend on Rio’s sense of priority and political necessity which BJP would also have to be taken into account.
RIO BREAKS RECORD IN NE: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio who was the longest serving chief minister is set to create another record when he will be sworn-in to become chief minister for the fifth consecutive term. After being sworn in, Rio will also better his record of fourth consecutive term as chief minister, a feat he shared with his former leader and then Congress chief minister Dr. S.C. Jamir.
In 2018, Rio won uncontested and this time he contested against his lone challenger, Seyievelie Sachu of Congress and won with a margin of 15824 votes for 11 Northern Angami-ll assembly constituency.
Rio took to Twitter and congratulated all the winning candidates of the Nagaland Assembly Elections 2023. “As we have assured the electorates, let us pursue with sincerity to fulfill our goals and vision. May God Almighty help us,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference Thursday late evening, Chief Electoral Office Nagaland, V. Shashank informed that 86.72 was the final polling percentage with male polling 85.6 % and female 87.85 %.
TALLY: NDPP won 25 seats out of the 40 seats it contested; BJP won 12 of the 20 it contested; INC 0, NCP 7, NPP 5, NPF 2, RPP 0, JDU 1, LJP (RV) 2, RPI (A) 2, RJD 0 and Independent four of the 19 seats contested.
The CEO also informed that the highest margin in the election was polled by N. Jacob Zhimomi from 4 Ghaspani I with 20, 096 votes followed by chief minister Rio with a margin of 15,824 from 11 Northern Angami II. The lowest margin was polled by NDPP candidate from 8 Western Angami Salhoutuonuo Kruse who won by only 7 votes against sitting legislator and Independent candidate Keneizhakho Nakhro.
The second lowest margin was polled by sitting NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu with 48 votes from 19 Phek AC against NDPP candidate, Kupota Khesoh.
Azo, who is also the UDA co-chairman, was initially trailing behind Kupota but later managed to win with the help of postal ballots by a margin of 48 votes.
Counting day peaceful barring Peren incident
State police nodal officer for election and IGP (Range) Limasunep Jamir informed the media that the law and order situation on the counting day remained peaceful barring a minor incident where police were compelled to resort to tear gas shelling and lathi charge.
Giving details of the incident, he said supporters of one political party in Peren were not happy with the EVM counting, though there were absolutely no irregularities, and attempted to enter the counting room. The police had to immediately intervene to control the situation, during which they had to lathi charge, fire teargas shells and resort to blank firing. He however claimed that no one was injured.
He claimed the situation was quickly brought under control, though some anti-social elements were trying to take advantage of the situation.
He however assured that security was fully in place and officers in-charge of police stations were monitoring the situation.
Jamir appealed to all citizens of the State not to take law into their own hands and accept and respect the popular mandate. He urged them to maintain peace and tranquillity.
On the Noklak issue, he disclosed that a post-mortem was conducted on the body of the deceased and its report was awaited. He said the mortal remains were handed over to family members and were laid to rest. He mentioned that the post mortem report would take a few more days.
On the Kiphire issue he said five criminal cases were registered in connection with the violence that had occurred on February 28.
Meanwhile, Eastern Nagaland with 20 seats, elected 17 new members including some former legislators to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, while only three sitting MLAs retained their seats.
Sitting MLAs P Paiwang Konyak from 41 Tizit, Noke from 43 Tapi and CL John from 45 Tehok retained their seats, while former MLAs who contested- K Konngam Konyak from 44 Phomching, A Nyamnyei Konyak from 48 Moka, Naiba Konyak from 55 Tobu, P Longon from 56 Noklak and C Kipili Sangtam from 59 Seyochung Sitimi were also elected this time.
The new faces included- W Chingang Konyak from 42 Wakching, Y Mankhao Konyak from 46 Mon Town, C Mapon Konyak from 47 Aboi, B Bangtick Phom from 49 Tamlu, A Pongshi Phom from 50 Longleng, Y lima Onen Chang from 51 Noksen, Sethrongkyu from 52 Longkhim Chare, P Bashangmongba Chang from 53 Tuensang Sadar 1, Imtichoba from 54 Tuensang Sadar 2, Benei M Lamthiu from 57 Thonoknyu, S Keoshu Yimchunger from 58 Shamator Chessore and S Kiusumew Yimchunger from 60 Pungro Kiphire.
Out of the 20 seats, NDPP won five, BJP four, NCP three, Independents two, RPI (A) two, NPP three and LJP (RV) one.