Bharatiya Janata Party is set to retain its power in Arunachal Pradesh with the saffron party clinching 46 seats out of total 60, crossing the halfway mark, as counting is underway for elections to the 60-seat Legislative Assembly.
The Conrad Sangma-led National People's Party (NPEP) and People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) have won five and two seats respectively while the Nationalist Congress Party won three seats.
Three Independent candidates have also won in the assembly blog.
Counting of votes began in the hill state at 6 am on Sunday amid tight security. Elections to the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly were held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections on April 19. The BJP has already won 10 of the 60 seats unopposed.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu is among those who have been elected unopposed. Khandu has won three of his four terms as MLA without a contest from Mukto in Tawang district.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein from Chowkham, Techi Kaso from Itanagar, Nyato Dukam from Taliha, and Mutchu Mithi from Roing are some other candidates who have won unopposed.
Counting of votes was held for 50 seats in the state for which elections were held in the northeastern state along with Lok Sabha polls on April 19. The rest 10 seats were won by the saffron party uncontested.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Arunachal for the victory of BJP in the elections.
Taking to X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in @BJP4Arunachal yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the state’s growth.”
The PM also said, “I would like to appreciate the hardwork of the exceptional @BJP4Arunachal Karyakartas through the election campaign. It is commendable how they went across the state and connected with the people."