Archives
Meghalaya Elections
| MEGHALAYA | NAGALAND | TRIPURA |
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CPI (M)------49 CPI-----------1 INC-----------10 OTHERS------0 |
| MEGHALAYA majority of seats won by INC NAGALAND majority of seats won by CPI (M) TRIPURA majority of seats won by NPF (Election to one seat Tuensang Sadar-1 Nagaland will be held on March 23) |
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The new entrant National Peoples Party (NPP), of the political supremo, Purno Aghitok Sangma, could not match its claim and fan fare exhibited prior to the elections, when only two candidates returned. It was also a great jolt to the NPP, when the opposition leader in the assembly, Conrad Sangma, was defeated by the Congress nominee Clement Marak by the 2017 votes. The NPP had fleded as many as 32 candidates. Conrad’s brother, James Sangma, however, was able to make it from the Dadenggre constituency in Garo Hills. The other NPP winner is Nihim Shira. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was introduced in the state by supremo Purno A. Sangma, before jumping over to the NPP, which contested 21 seats also managed to win only 2 seats.
Other contesting political parties were also rejected by the electorate, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Lok Jan Shakti Party, Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India (CPI), Meghalay Democratic Party, Rastriya Secular Congress, Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), all failed to get any seat at all, which re-affirmed the people’s commitment, not to bring about a fractured result.
The 2013 elections, however, saw the return of veterans including Hopingstone Lyngdoh of the Hills State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP), who had contested elections right from the birth of the state of Meghalaya, since 1972, and he is still going strong, this time defeating sitting Congress candidate Advisor Pariong, by a margin of 2456 votes. Another three candidates of the HSPDP, Ardent Basaiawmoit from Nongkrem, Plasingwell Pangiang from Pambrai Jyrngam and Witting Mawsor from Mawshynrut, were elected. The HSPDP had in all fielded 18 candidates with the slogan for fighting for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state.
Another veteran big win is D.D.Lapang, of the Congress, being a former chief minister, retained the Nongpoh constituency from Ri Bhoi. Also former chief ministers, Salseng Marak and Donkupar Roy got themselves re-elected. While 29 sitting members of the legislative assembly lost their seat, 28 new members were elected for the first time, including the former Chairman of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Julius Kitbor Dorphang. It may be mentioned that the HNLC had called for peoples boycott on the polling day February 23. Julius Dorphang, had urged HNLC members to join the national mainstream from being militants and that any problem can be solved by political dialogue, through democratic means.
Twenty-five women had contested, but only four were elected all from the Congress party. First timer Dikkanchi D. Shira wife of chief minister Mukul Sangma came out successfully from Mahendraganjo constituency, by a massive margin of 6859 votes. Former minister Deborah Marak was elected from Williamnagar. Also another former Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, defeating deputy chief minister of the UDP, and Roshan Warjri, who returned to politics, was elected from the Shillong North constituency, in a three corner contest.
The Congress had initially suffered a set back, when as many as 122 independents were in the fray, including four party dissidents who were denied tickets. The total number of independents elected is 13, including 4 dissidents Saleng M. Sangma, Samuel .M. Sangma, Justine Dkhar and David A. Nongrum the son of assembly speaker Charles Pyngrope from Mawrynkneng constituency. The Speaker himself was, however, defeated from Nongthymmai constituency, by United Democratic Party candidate Jemino Mawthoh, by a margin of 626 votes.
The defeat of the assembly speaker is a major upset. By and large, right from the campaigning stage, the 2013 elections was by and large peaceful, right to the election and counting of votes. People had exercised their votes in a free and fair atmosphere, expecting that their candidates would fulfill the promises and that there should be continuity in government, which is not politically dominated.
The election displayed the downfall of P.A. Sangma’s charm in the State elections, particularly in Garo Hills, where his party won 15 seats in the last election. The number was only two in this election. Somewhere down the drain, the insurgency factor, played a big role and the people punished the sitting MLA’s for all the upsets in the region. Whether P.A. Sangma would be able to win again will be seen in the next elections. Until then the NPP will have to search for answers. Till writing of this report Mr.Mukul Sangma staked his claim to form the government.
The election result has sent the message that a change is needed, the first priority being a stable government and a strong opposition. As there are many new and young legislators, development planning should be meaningful and having a sense of vision. The increase of women legislators, though small in figure, can certainly create an atmosphere of cool temperament, in law making, governance and an administration which response to the pulse of the people.
By Sumar Singh Sawain.
Nagaland Elections
- Nagaland Elections
Nagaland Elections
NPF runs affairs of Nagaland for 3rd term
Naga People’s Front (NPF) led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) retained power for the third term in a row.
NPF captured 38 seats , while main opposition Congress getting the worst ever drubbing getting single digit eight seats, NCP-4, BJP and JD(U) one each and seven Independents, which went to polls on February 23.
As the counting started on February 28 across the 12 counting centre in Nagaland, NPF candidates and supporters cajoled in jolly mood as things moves clearer with NPF winning the absolute majority. In Kohima NPF party workers thronged outside the counter centre new Kohima College, in thousands greeted the people and further received their winning candidates with garland bouquets.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio retained his 11 Northern Angami-II for the sixth straight term with 12671 votes. Rio polled 15305 and his Congress opponent Kevise Sogotsu polled 2634 votes. Rio had won this seat -1989,1993,1998,2003 and 2008.
Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) SI Jamir retained his 2 Dimapur-11 A/C by 1326 votes. He defeated Lipok(NPF) by 1326 votes. Outgoing Leader of opposition Tokheho won his seat from 3 Dimapur-III defeating NPF candidate Azheto by 2031 votes.
Outgoing Speaker Nagaland Legislative Assembly Kiyanilie Peseyie won his seat 8 Western Angami A/C for the third straight term. He defeated Asu Keyho (Congress) by 1000 votes. Kiyanilie secured by 5969, Asu polled 4969. Clergyman turned politician Huzo Meru secured 2569 votes.
Dr. Nicky Kire of NPF won the prestigious 9 Kohima Town A/C. He defeated Er. Dr. Vikutuolie Angami by a big margin of 6711 votes.
DAN alliance partners BJP and JD (U) made their entry stand by winning a seat each. BJP opened their account from 41 Tizit A/C where Paiwang (BJP) defeated the sitting MLA Aloh(NPF) by 3073. JD (U) also won a seat, with BS Nganlang winning the 49 Tamlu A/C seat. He defeated Nyemli(NPF) by 1878 votes.
NCP became the biggest gainer of Nagalands election took away four seats, their candidate’s former Ministers Imtilemba won from 52 Longkhim Chare, Dr.TM Lotha from 38 Wokha town A/C and first timer Mhonlumo from 40 Bhandari A/C and L.Khumo from 57 Thonoknyu A/C.
Most prominent winner from Congress was C. Apok Jamir, son of former Chief Minister Dr.SC Jamir, winning 27 Mokokchung Town A/C by a mere 47 votes.
Four NPF Ministers – Nyiewang Konyak, MC Konyak , Doshehe Y Sema, Dr. Chumben Murry were drubbed by their opponents.
Former Chief Minister and Congress heavyweight KL Chishi was stunned by Tovihoto of NPF by 1838 votes from 1 Dimapur-I A/C which is the only general seat in the state.
Among the congress who faced defeat were sitting Congress legislators KV Pusa from 15 Southern Angami-II, Kongam from 44 Phomching, Hewoto from 5 Ghaspani-II, I.Imkong from 29 Jangpekong A/C. However the shocked from the NPF camps was when the sitting MP Rajya Sabha Khekiho Zhimomi, and his son Atomi Zhimomi, both lost their seats. His son Atomi contested as Independent.
Despite the much vaunted status of women in Nagaland, few of them actually feature when the State election comes. The participation of women in any decision making bodies like State Assembly election is indeed very poor. The two main contenders NPF and Congress failed to nominate even lady candidate. But when one examines the number of electorate in Nagaland or if one goes by pure numbers, the fate of these 60 candidates in the forthcoming ballot battle lies in the hands of women of Nagaland for 25 seats, female voters outnumber the males.
Two Women candidates who were in fray finished at third position with Dr.Yangerla (Independent) securing 579 votes from 27 Mokokchung Town and Rhakila (BJP) from 54 Tuensang Sadar-11 polling 4193 votes.
The CEO Nagaland gave provisional figures at 90.88 % for the 59 Assembly Constituencies. A seat (53-Tuensang Sadar-1) was adjourned after the death of Congress candidate P.Chuba Chang on February 22; the election will take place on March 23.
Rio says regional party to stay
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio assured the citizens of the state that DAN government and its alliance would renew its commitment and said the government would not fail the people in its victory.
| Nagaland Voter Turnout Percentage | |||
| District |
Voter Turnout % | ||
| Male | Female | Total | |
| Dimapur Peren Kohima Pughoboto Phek Mokokchung Zunheboto Wokha Mon Longleng Tuensang Kiphire |
84.32 90.97 85.43 90.17 91.59 90.28 88.38 93.64 93.83 95.92 93.82 93.29 |
86.46 91.49 89.11 94.33 93.30 91.64 91.07 94.98 92.89 96.84 93.72 94.52 |
85.36 91.23 87.31 92.27 92.46 90.95 89.73 94.30 93.38 96.35 93.77 93.89 |
| State Total: | 90.19 | 91.59 | 90.88 |
Addressing press conference at the central party office on February 28 , Rio said the overwhelming victory showed a convincing mandate that people has voted for the DAN’s policies and programme’s and its development. Stating that election being the highest democracy, 2013 NLA election has shown its leadership and said as mentioned in the NPF manifesto, the government would continue to play the role of active facilitator along with all sections of people. Further Rio said that NPF led DAN government in the state for third time has shown that regionalism has come to stay in the state and said DAN 3 will give new energy and directions in all fields.
Asserting that the government would focus in all round development like employment filtration, music industry, women empowerment, creation and maintenance of roads and also said that massive in development like human resource development, education, health care and various economic activities will take place in the eastern areas.
He also said that elected members would work collectively and will bring permanent peace in the land adding that since the party has a pre poll alliance, it would be DAN alliance government.
The chief minister also thanked and lauded Election Commission of India, Election Commission Nagaland, NBCC, youths and all the citizens who extended support for the smooth conduct of the election process.
Xavier Rusta
Tripura Elections
Tripura Elections
Tripura Elections
Victory for Left in last bastion Tripura with 50 out of 60 seats
The ruling Left Front won the Tripura polls for the fifth time consecutive time by a landslide 50 out of the total 60-member Assembly seats. While CPI(M) bagged 49 seats and the CPI a lone seat, the opposition got only 10 seats but its partner INPT and NCP failed to win any seat.
The victory of the Left in Tripura is very significant and in fact is important for the parties existence at the national perspective after the massive loss in Kerala and West Bengal which were the traditional under Left rule.
Tripura’s victory will surely provide additional oxygen to the Left parties in India as in Tripura the last Left fort they returned to power with a massive landslide.
“There is no doubt that the alternative of Congress is BJP and vice versa but the labour and poor people of India knows that Left is the lone alternative of both these parties and the victory of Left Front in Tripura will surely be moral boaster for the Left movement at the national scenario,” said chief minister Manik Sarkar.
He had won the Dhanpur constituency defeating his nearest Congress rival Shah Alam by 6,117 votes. His margin this time has almost double in comparison to the previous election of 2008 when he had won this seat by 2918 votes.
According to him the factors those were favor of Left’s victory and for which the people of Tripura had given their verdict to form the seventh Left Front government are: “Peace, amity, tranquility, democracy, and development.”
But this was not a very easy election for the Left this time as there were many factors those went against them. Firstly, the Trinamul party which divides the opposition votes this time remained out of the fray.
There was a flow of ‘Parivartan’ (change) hijacked by the Tripura Congress from West Bengal where a change took and in general Tripura follows Bengal.
Thirdly, people were not ready to accept the allegations of Left against the opposition of maintaining link with militants as there was not a single incident of any arrest of INPT or Congress leader related to it.
The employees were unhappy as their pay hike was much less than not only central government staff but also other state employees. In a nut shell people regreted and want a change in Tripura.
The winning trend of the Left in Tripura was disheartening for the Party as many veteran leaders noted that the biggest margin of votes was 12,000 and the the smallest only 65.
Prominent winners of the Left Front were veteran CPIM leader and minister for higher education and information Anil Sarkar had won by the considerably reduced margin of 2132 votes from the Pratabghar seat which is his ninth victory at a stress.
The highest margin of vote has been between the state finance minister Badal Chowdhury where the difference of vote is more than 12,000.
All Left minister retained their seats except science, technology and environment minister Joygobinda Deb Roy of the RSP party lost the R K Pur seat this time by a margin of 837 votes to Congress candidate Pranjit Singha.
The Left has is most victory in the reserved seats with 19 of the 20 ST seats and 9 of the ten seats reserved for scheduled castes.
While Congress was able to hold on to its 2008 tally of ten seats in the sixty member state assembly the INPT that consted 11 seats even failed to open its account.
| Tripura’s victory will surely provide additional oxygen to the Left parties in India as in Tripura the last Left fort they returned to power with a massive landslide. |
The INPT president and erstwhile TNV militant leader Bijay Kumar Hrangkhawal suffered a discomfiting defeat against the left front’s candidate Lalit Debbarma from Ambassa (ST) seat in Dhalai district by a margin of 1037 votes.
The biggest setback for Congress was the narrow defeat of veteran leader Surajit Dutta from the Ramnagar assembly constituency in Agartala.
Dutta who had won the seat five successive times since 1988 lost the seat by the narrow margin of 65 votes.
The most unexpected result was for opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath who had a narrow escape and had won the Mohanpur seat by just 714 votes.
But the PCC president Sudip Roy Barman defeated his nearest CPI (M) rival Shankar Prasad Dutta rather comfortably by a margin of 2741 votes.
Meantime, Congress candidate Jitendra Sarkar, a former speaker of the assembly by a Left ticked but later joine Congress has won from Barjala.
Congress’s indigenous leader Dibachandra Hrangkhawal defeated veteran CPI (M) leader and ADC’s executive member Gajendra Tripura by a margin of 1372 seats.
This is the only seat won by Congress among six seats of Dhalai district.
In neighbouring Unakoti district also Congress could win only one of altogether four seats when veteran leader Birajit Sinha narrowly retained the Kailasahar seat by a margin of only 485 votes.
Similarly, in North Tripura district also the left front made a near clean sweep of seven seats , retaining six and losing only the Dharmangar town seat when the sitting MLA Biswabandhu Sen defeated his CPI (M) rival Amitava Dutta by a margin of 1844 votes.
Interestingly, in three of the state’s eight districts -south Tripura, Sipahijala and Khowai-Congress failed to win a single seat.
But what went wrong in the Congress card which had high expectation of forming the government this time?
“We expected to do well but our performance was very poor particularly in the reserved ST and SC seats which is a shock and dismay. Out alliance could not event open their account and we have to examine our result but surely it was not what we expected though we accept the result gracefully.”
Left has yet again done it in Tripura and it will be the strength of the party to resurface back in Bengal and Kerala and of course at the nation politics where its dreams of bringing an alternate power with other like-minded parties those ‘work for and by the common people.’
