Tag Archives: 2023 assembly polls

Assembly Polls 2023: Tripura & Nagaland goes to BJP; NPP bags Meghalaya

Tripura and Nagaland with alliances have voted for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the Assembly Polls 2023. BJP has secured respectable majority in Nagaland with its ally Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP). However, in Meghalaya, Saffron performed very poor and hovered around five to six seats. So did Congress (6) and Trinamool (5) that had tall claims and convictions before the polls. Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee and nephew turned General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee had air dashed umpteen times to North East. The results are enough to show their reach and acceptance among the locals.

In case of Tripura, entrusting with poll duties to Rajib Banerjee who had left Trinamool to join BJP just before the Assembly Polls in West Bengal and after his defeat again re-joined Trinamool. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee who had reprimanded him from public meetings and even called him by various names – ‘beiman’ , ‘mirzafar’ etc, inducted him when he staged a comeback. Trinamool may be fine by allowing so-called ‘mirzafars’ but it sends a wrong picture and message to the people as they fail to understand why should they trust someone like Rajib Banerjee.

Chief Minister in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalya won their seats an jid are all set to form the government.

For BJP, Meghalaya will be a challenge as people in the state have refused to accept the Saffron inspite of Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding numerous rallies and roadshows prior to the elections. The party will do a detailed introspection as per the protocol of any political party especially those being cadre based parties also called regimented parties like the BJP, Left Front etc .

The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)’s Hekani Jakhalu became the first ever woman to be elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The 48- year old received 45.16 per cent of the 31,874 votes in the constituency, just ahead of the Lok Jansakthi Party (Ram Vilas Paswan)’s Azheto Zhimomi, who received 40.34 per cent of the votes.

However, it’s very sad story for the Congress that have been totally wiped out in Tripura and Nagaland with 0 seats. There was a time when Congress was one of the important political parties across the North East. In Nagaland, Congress had a good reach and bagged considerable votes in the Assembly polls. Once again, it’s for the Congress to decide if it wants to continue like this or will gear up as being one of the oldest political parties, it has lost its face value. Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Joro Yatra’ or suggested ‘Haat se Haat Joro Yatra’ have no value unless it plans to revamp the party and make changes. I myself was talking to a Congress member and he accepted such Yatras are useless unless Congress changes for good. RaGa should realise that he carries a responcibility, the legacy of his grandmother Indira Gandhi, his father Rajiv Gandhi, people have some expectations from him.

The Tipra Motha party deserves a big compliment for performing so well and bagging 13 seats. The party which is a new born baby has proved it has a good reach among the locals. There are speculations that the BJP leadership may approach the Tipra and offer an alliance. However, earlier it was said that the BJP was in talks with the National People’s Party (NPP) for an alliance in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi as per his style had visited the BJP headquarters in Delhi in the evening on Thursday, and met the members of the party. He had also interacted with the leadership and candidates in the winning states and complimented them over their performance. Also, talks were held within the party leadership about seat sharing, and the dates when swearing-in ceremonies will take place. Meghalaya too was discussed and PM Modi assured the state that his party will do everything to develop the state and reach out to the people in the state.

Tripura, Meghalaya & Sagardighi defeat expose Trinamool’s tall claims

Trinamool Supremo during campaigning in Meghalaya remarked she was surprised to find rhythmic and musical names of people and villages, she also made a sound “kakoooo…oooo…”. The problem is politicians explore “beautiful people or places” just before elections and people understand this better today. It’s because of this, Trinamool has lost its opportunity in the north East.

In Tripura Trinamool failed to open its account and stood at zero seats. Both Supremo and nephew turned general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee made tall claims of the presence of Trinamool and its win in Tripura but they failed to understand the mood and sentiments of people.

The next state is Meghalaya, the party has won only five seats. Once again, both Supremo and Abhishek Banerjee made frequent visits by wasting money. Trinamool made tall claims of winning but today when the results have come it’s clear that the party has lost on the face value.

Back home in West Bengal, by polls took place in Murshidabad’s Sagardighi. Trinamool lost the seat to Left Front and Congress alliance. Sagardighi is quite significant as this constituency is Muslim dominated and Mamata Banerjee is known for her Muslim appeasement but the results are enough to prove that she has lost the faith and trust of the Muslims after what she did with Naushad Siddiqui. Bayron Biswas defeated Trinamool with record margin.

The results are enough to explain that Trinamool is fast losing its reach among the people in the state that had brought her in 2011. Also, the results should be a warning and a wake up call for Mamata Banerjee and her party before the Panchayat Polls knocking at the door. Trinamool must do an introspection and find out why people are suddenly drifting apart which is certainly not a healthy development.

Nagaland Polls 2023: BJP 59 Assembly constituency Seyochung Sitimi demands immediate re-poll at Kisetong Village under Kiphire district

Assembly polls took place across 59 constituencies out of 60 on February 28, 2023. The elections marked massive rigging and violence across districts in the state. 183 candidates were in frey. Over 13 lakh voters exercised their franchise. Polling took place across 2,291 booths, out of which 196 were women managed booths. 85 per cent polling was recorded according to Election Commission of India (ECI).

Reacting to the reports pouring in from the state, 59th a/c Seyochung Sitimi Kiphire district has demanded for an immediate re-poll in polling station No 28 of Changchor village, Kisetong village No. 30 and 44 at Kisetong A, Nagaland over the party alleging the National People’s Party (NPP) for booth capturing. Over 13.9 lakh registered voters exercised their franchise in the polls in the state.

V Kashiho Sangtam, the intending BJP candidate of 59 Assembly Constituency Seyochung Sitimi, has also written a letter addressed to the Returning Officer at 59 ac, for a re-poll at polling station number 30 and 44 at Kisetong A, citing rampant proxy voting as well as multiple voters presence inside the polling booth in the presence of all polling personals, while the Presiding Officer at polling station 30, has issued over 360 token to the non existent electorates, even after the normal timing of polling is over by 4pm, which is a direct violation of the Representation of the People’s Act 1951, and added that it has never happened in the history of any election under the 59 assembly constituency or anywhere in the state. Kashiho Sangtam also questioned the audacity of the polling officials deputed in both the polling stations who aided in booth capturing which is a matter of serious consequence in the polling history of the State. Further, evidence proof of voters repeatedly casting voting even at 8pm have also been enclosed.

Toshiho K Yepthomi, President 59 Mandal BJP, alleged that the NPP made intimidation with threats and life attempts made to the two polling agents at polling station 28 Changchor Village, Nagaland, where complaints and requests were made for a security back up for the BJP electorates but the authority paid no heed to the requests made. Adding to it, the voters slip of the BJP electorates were captured by the NPP and casted all the votes in the presence of the Presiding Officer. Further, the office of the Residing Officer was kept locked the whole day and complaints to address the matter were left in vain. In preview of the matter that escalated, the 59 assembly constituency have demanded for a re-poll to conduct at the earliest.

An eligible voter from the Changchor village have also expressed his disappointment for not being able to caste his vote as his voter slip was already casted by another person unknown to him. There were numerous cases of genuine voters being threatened with life attempts, and were stopped from casting their votes, he informed.

Following the incidents that took place on Monday, and in-order to prevent the misuse of the media from flaring up the tension in the district and prevent the breach of the public peace and tranquility, Nagaland Home Commisioner, Abhijit Sinha have issued a notification on Tuesday, dated 28th February 2023, to prohibit the mobile internet/data service of all the service providers in the entire area of Kiphire district under Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, with immediate effect till further orders.

It’s not yet confirmed if the ECI will conduct re-polls. There have been no notification issued till now. According to Exit Polls BJP-NDPP alliance will win 35 to 45 Sears. However, the picture will be clear on March 2, 3023 when the results will be declared.

Nagaland Polls 2023: Young generation to vote on development and employment issue

Assembly elections will take place on February 27, 2023 for the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The results will be declared on March 2. The term of the Nagaland Assembly will end on March 12.

184 candidates are in the fray, including 68 from the national parties and 72 from state parties. The magic figure required to form the government in the Nagaland Assembly is 31.

In the last elections, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) entered into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and formed the government in Nagaland after the 2018 Assembly elections, with backing from the Janata Dal (United) and an Independent.

In the last Assembly elections, the NDPP bagged 17 constituencies in the while the BJP and JD(U) had won 12 and 1 seat. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) had claimed 26 of the 58 seats it contested in the polls. In 2021, the NPF joined the ruling NDPP-led alliance to form an all-party government named United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The NDPP and BJP have announced the same seat-sharing in the 2023 Assembly election. The NDPP has fielded candidates in 40 seats while the BJP is aiming to win the remaining 20 seats. 

Since last Assembly elections, the strength of NPF’s in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly has gone down after 21 of its MLAs led by former Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang defected to the NDPP in 2022. Currently, NPF has just four sitting MLAs in Nagaland.  

EC announces poll schedule in Tripura, Meghalaya & Nagaland

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday held a Press Conference to announce the poll dates in the states – Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. CEC Kumar alongwith Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel took stock of the practical situation across these poll bound states. The team also toon the forthcoming the Board examinations and the movement of security forces.

Polling will take place in two phases – Tripura will vote in a single phase on February 16. Meghalaya and Nagaland will vote on February 27. The courting of votes will take place on March 2, 2023. A total of 62.8 lakh voters will cast their vote in the three states, with around 2.8 lakh new voters added to the list, said Rajiv Kumar.

The tenures of the three assemblies, with 60 seats each, end on March 12, 15 and 22, respectively.

Over an estimated 62.8 lakh electors will take part in the polls across Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura that will include over 31.47 lakh female electors, 97,000 80 voters, and 31,700 PwD voters. Over 1.76 lakh first-time voters to participate in the elections in 3 states.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power in Tripura, and a part of the ruling coalitions with the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in Nagaland and with the National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya.