New Delhi: The counting of votes is all set to take place in the poll-bound states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura on Thursday. The voting in Tripura took place on February 16, whereas the polling was held across 59 constituencies each in the two states took place on February 27. The Election Commission had adjourned the February 27 poll in the Sohiong assembly constituency of Meghalaya after the demise of former state home minister H D R Lyngdoh.


The Bharatiya Janata Party and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party are looking to retain power in the state after a high decibel campaign full of political attacks and promises. The BJP has already opened up its account in Nagaland ahead of the polls as the candidate from the Akuluto seat Kazheto Kinimi won from uncontested after the Congress candidate Khekashe Sumi withdrew his candidature.     


Here’s A Look At Key Candidates In All Three States.


Nagaland


Neiphiu Rio


One of the key candidates in the state is Nagaland Chief Minister and NDPP candidate Neiphiu Rio from the Northern Angami-I seat in the Kohima district.  He is up against Congress candidate Seyievilie Chachu for the seat.


Yanthungo Patton


Another key candidate is Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, who will be fighting the election from Tyui. 


TR Zeliang


A two-time Chief Minister TR Zeliang will be contesting from Peren as an NDPP candidate.


Temjen Imna Along


Nagaland BJP chief Temjen Imna Along will contest from Alongtaki seat. In the now-dissolved government, he served as a Minister of Higher and Technical Education. He is pitted against Janata Dal (United) candidate J Lanu Longchar from this seat.


N Jacob Zhimomi


Ghaspani is another seat that is attracting all the eyeballs. BJP has fielded N Jacob Zhimomi against Congress candidate Akavi N Zhimomi.


Hekani Jakhalu


In Dimapur-III, where NDPP candidate Hekani Jakhalu is in the fray while the newbie Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has given a ticket to Azheto Zhimomi from this seat.


Meghalaya


Conrad Sangma
 


One of the key candidates in Meghalaya is Chief Minister Conrad Sangma who will be contesting from South Tura where he will be up against BJP's Bernard N Marak. The Congress has fielded Brenzield Ch Marak in this seat.


Ernest Mawrie


Another key candidate is BJP state chief Ernest Mawrie who will be contesting from West Shillong. He is one of the prominent faces in the state. Mohendro Rapsang is the candidate of the ruling NPP and is pitted against TMC's Iwan Maria.


Vincent Pala


Congress state chief Vincent Pala is contesting for the first time from the Sutnga Saipung constituency. Pala's performance in the elections could have a big impact on Meghalaya’s political landscape.


Mukul Sangma


The former chief minister and current Leader of the Opposition in Meghalaya Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats Songsak and Tikrikilla . He is contesting these two seats on a TMC ticket. In the 2018 elections, Sangma won from both the Ampati and Songsak constituencies as a Congress candidate.


Tripura


Manik Saha


Manik Saha became the Chief Minister of the state in 2022 after former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb resigned. Saha will be contesting the elections this time again from Town Bordowali. Former member of Congress, Saha won the by-poll after Deb’s resignation and went on to become the CM of the state.


Rajib Bhattacharjee


BJP state party chief Rajib Bhattacharjee will be contesting from Banamalipur, which was won by BJP’s Biplab Kumar Deb in 2018. Bhattacharjee was elevated to the post of state party chief after Deb’s resignation.


Rajib Banerjee


Trinamool Congress’s Rajib Banerjee, who joined the BJP ahead of the West Bengal assembly polls before losing had rejoined the TMC. He is looking to establish TMC in Tripura. 


Sudip Roy Burman


Sudip Roy Burman, who left BJP and joined Congress, is contesting this Assembly election from Agartala, the capital of Tripura. The former Tripura health minister has vowed to defeat the BJP in the state. 


Birajit Sinha


Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee chief Birajit Sinha will contest from Kailashahar. Sinha is a five-time MLA. Accusing the saffron party of enacting violence during the recent political clashes between the BJP and the Congress at Jirania, Sinha said that it was important to oust the BJP and IPFT from power.