ADVERTISEMENT

Prime Minister's BJP leads in India's northeast regional elections

The right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party and its local allies swept the polls, winning 43 seats in the 59 member house in remote Tripura, ending nearly 25 years of communist rule in the state that borders Bangladesh.

Elections in the three northeastern states -- Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya -- were held in February with results announced Saturday.

Modi, who campaigned vigorously in the region ahead of the vote, said the party charted "the path of success from (being) no one to the one" in the region, which for decades was considered a bastion of main opposition parties Congress and the Left Front.

"The northeast has today come forward to lead India on the path to development," Modi told a jubilant crowd of supporters at the victory speech in New Delhi party headquarters.

ADVERTISEMENT

He termed the results as "epoch-making" and promised to "transform" the remote region.

The BJP itself bagged 35 out of 59 seats in Tripura, while its regional alliance partner Indigenous People's Front Of Tripura won eight seats.

That left the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front with just 16.

Communists had won five consecutive elections in the state since 1993 -- three under the outgoing chief minister Manik Sarkar -- after wresting power from Congress.

Modi's Hindu nationalist party finished third in Christian-dominated Nagaland state, but was set to form the government in alliance with a local partner, party leaders said.

ADVERTISEMENT

It won 11 seats on its own and was in talks with two other regional parties to form a coalition government.

BJP was a partner in the ruling alliance in Nagaland but had pulled out of the government ahead of the polls.

The BJP's succes has further consolidated the party's grip on national politics ahead of the crucial 2019 general elections, when Modi will be running for re-election.

Since winning the 2014 elections under Modi, the BJP has expanded its rule from seven states to 21, out of 29 Indian states.

It controls Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states in the northeast region, which critically lacks infrastructure despite being of strategic importance due to its borders with China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, the party could not garner support in Meghalaya, winning just two seats as the state heads for a hung mandate, with Congress winning the largest share with 21 seats in the 59 member house.

Congress has ruled the state since 2010, but it was unclear whether the Rahul Gandhi-led party will form a local alliance with other parties.

Elections are due in five more states later this year, with the BJP eyeing a victory in Congress-ruled southern Karnataka state that could reduce India's oldest political party's rule to just two states.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

NBA disclaims lawyers' protest over EFCC's approach to Yahaya Bello's case

NBA disclaims lawyers' protest over EFCC's approach to Yahaya Bello's case

Dana aircraft skids off Lagos Airport runway

Dana aircraft skids off Lagos Airport runway

Biden assures Zelensky of rapid arms support amid escalating Russia tensions

Biden assures Zelensky of rapid arms support amid escalating Russia tensions

NYSC praises Fintiri's approval of ₦10k monthly allowance for corps members

NYSC praises Fintiri's approval of ₦10k monthly allowance for corps members

Kano Govt invests over ₦68m in media equipment upgrade, trains 300 staff

Kano Govt invests over ₦68m in media equipment upgrade, trains 300 staff

No Nigerian is denied access, we aim for friendship between countries - CGCC

No Nigerian is denied access, we aim for friendship between countries - CGCC

Reno Omokri labels Abuja Chinese Supermarket 'racist', demands Wike's action

Reno Omokri labels Abuja Chinese Supermarket 'racist', demands Wike's action

1,500 Ogun residents receive free surgeries, 80k students get ₦50k each

1,500 Ogun residents receive free surgeries, 80k students get ₦50k each

NERC shifts Enugu electricity market oversight to State commission

NERC shifts Enugu electricity market oversight to State commission

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT