Polling will start at 7 am in both the states and will continue till 4 pm.
Shillong, Kohima:
Assembly elections are due today in Meghalaya and Nagaland, northeastern states the BJP rules in alliance with regional powers. In Meghalaya, the BJP is contesting alone after a rift with Conrad Sangma’s NPP and is expected to increase its tally.
-
Meghalaya will witness a multi-cornered contest, where the Congress, the BJP and Konrad Sangma’s NPP (National People’s Party) are in the fray besides Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress.
-
Trinamool has become the largest opposition party in the state following the defection of former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and several other Congress MLAs. The Congress, which had won 21 seats last time and became the single largest party, has faced a reduction in its voter base.
-
In 2018, the BJP won only two seats, but managed to form the government with the NPP. This time it has fielded candidates on 60 seats following a rift with Mr. Sangma’s party over corruption allegations.
-
The NPP’s ambition to make inroads in all the northeastern states, however, is being seen as a major reason for the growing chill between the two parties. Sangma’s party contested elections in Manipur last year and improved its vote share. It also has some presence in Arunachal Pradesh and further plans for Nagaland.
-
Both the BJP and Konrad Sangma have rejected Trinamool’s challenge. Mr Sangma has tagged the party as an outsider, and said it will take a long time for the Trinamool to establish itself and gain the acceptance of the people.
-
There is a triangular contest on 59 of the 60 assembly seats in Nagaland. The BJP, which won 12 of the state’s 60 seats in 2018, is contesting the elections in alliance with the NDPP (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party). As per the seat-sharing agreement, the NDPP is contesting on 40 seats and the BJP on 20.
-
However, the BJP has already opened its account, with its candidate Kazeto Kinimi being re-elected unopposed from the Akuluto assembly constituency after his only rival withdrew his candidature.
-
The opposition Congress and the Naga People’s Front are contesting on 23 and 22 seats. The Congress has said that if the need arises, it may opt for a post-poll alliance.
-
Four women candidates are in the fray in Nagaland this time. While the state has women in leading positions in every field, a woman legislator would be a first.
-
Amidst tight security, polling will begin at 7 am in both the states and will continue till 4 pm. The counting of votes will take place on March 2.
featured video of the day
Nitish Kumar joined hands with Congress, RJD for his PM ambition: Amit Shah