Nagaland Election Results 2023 Highlights: NDPP-BJP alliance wins with 37 seats; PM Modi says ‘double engine will keep working for state’s progress ’

With the BJP-Nationalist Democratic People’s Party (NDPP) alliance in a position to form the next government in Nagaland, its chief ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio’s unbroken dominance on the state’s politics will only continue.

The alliance won 37 seats, with the BJP getting 12 seats and the NDPP getting 25, in the 60-member Assembly. Rio’s victory – with a 92.87 per cent vote share – from his stronghold Northern Angami-II was the most resounding win of them all. Read more

On Thursday, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)’s Hekani Jakhalu became the first ever woman to be elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

With seven of its candidates emerging victorious in the Assembly elections on Thursday, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party has become the biggest Opposition party in Nagaland and is set to get the leader of Opposition post in the House.

Narendra Verma, the NCP general secretary for the Northeast said that at a time when the Congress could not win even one seat in Nagaland, his party’s winning the highest number of seats in the Opposition camp was a big achievement. “We contested 12 seats. While we won seven, we lost five seats by a very thin margin,” he said. 

Another Maharashtra-based party, Union minister of state Ramdas Athawale’s Republican Party of India (Athawale), has won two seats in Nagaland. The RPI’s Vinod Nikalje was given the responsibility to handle the party’s Northeast activities. The party contested eight seats. While it won two seats, its candidates came in second spot in four constituencies. Read more

The NDPP won 25 seats and the BJP 12, putting the only pre-poll alliance in the state in a position to comfortably form the next government. This also marks an improvement in the alliance’s performance since the last election, when the two parties jointly won 29 constituencies. Naga People's Front's (NPF) performance was poorer than most observers might have expected. The party that led the state government for 15 years and has won the most seats in an Assembly election managed to bag only two seats this time. The wins by both of NDPP’s women candidates scripted history in the state and Nagaland will get its first women MLAs in Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse. Read more

With the BJP-Nationalist Democratic People’s Party (NDPP) alliance in a position to form the next government in Nagaland, its chief ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio’s unbroken dominance on the state’s politics will only continue.

The alliance won 37 seats, with the BJP getting 12 seats and the NDPP getting 25, in the 60-member Assembly. Rio’s victory – with a 92.87 per cent vote share – from his stronghold Northern Angami-II was the most resounding win of them all. Read More

(PTI Photo)

The Exit polls had predicted a return of power of the BJP in Nagaland with coalition partner National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP). The results are on the predicted lines as the NDPP BJP raced into the lead right from the beginning and has crossed the majority mark comfortably with a joint tally of 33 seats in the 60-member Assembly. The coalition is also leading in another three states.

Nagaland now has two women MLAs, with the NDPP’s Salhoutuonuo Kruse winning from the Western Angami constituency. The state, which has had 13 Assemblies so far, never had a woman MLA before Thursday’s result. Hekani Jakhalu, who won from the Dimapur III constituency, is the other woman MLA to be elected to the House. Read More

After the NDPP-BJP alliance crossed the halfway mark winning 35 seats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked voters in Tripura, and said, "double engine government will keep working for the state's progress". 

I thank the people of Nagaland for blessing the @NDPPofficial-@BJP4Nagaland alliance with yet another mandate to serve the state. The double engine government will keep working for the state's progress. I laud our party workers for their hardwork which ensured this result.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2023

The victory of BJP-NDPP alliance in Nagaland assembly elections is truly astounding as the alliance is set to form Govt. for the second consecutive term.

Congratulations to Chief Minister Shri @Neiphiu_Rio and Team @BJP4Nagaland for this amazing victory.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 2, 2023

???????? ???????? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???????????? ???? @narendramodi ?? ? ?????? ???? @JPNadda ??, ???? @Neiphiu_Rio ?? ?? @BJP4Nagaland ?? ??? ???????????? ? ?????? @NDPPofficial ?? ??????? ???? ??? ???????? ?? ???????? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ????

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) March 2, 2023

Nagaland political stalwart and its longest serving chief minister Neiphiu Rio is set to assume office as chief minister for a fifth consecutive term after a convincing win for his party and its ally, the BJP.

Together, the two parties have secured 33 seats in the 60-member Nagaland assembly. The septuagenarian leader has with this victory, broken the record of veteran leader S C Jamir, who helmed the northeastern state thrice.

Rio personally defeated Congress' Seyievelie Sachu, a greenhorn in the political arena, in the Northern Angami II constituency, in the process helping emasculate the grand old party in the state where at one time it was entrenched. (PTI)

My victory is not mine alone, it belongs to my people who trusted me with their hopes & aspirations. I dedicate this victory to God and pledge to serve my constituents with honesty and integrity. #UpaiAse #Dimapur3 @NDPPofficial @BJPNagaland @Neiphiu_Rio @abumetha pic.twitter.com/o5MIPOhGg6

— Hekani Jakhalu (@Hekani) March 2, 2023

Today, we have created history!This momentous victory belongs to us. I owe this victory to God Almighty, and to my citizens of #8WesternAngami. I am very humbled by the support everyone has given me. Thank you for making this possible. I look forward to serving you.#KamPara pic.twitter.com/fbIWKCJafb

— Salhoutuonuo Kruse (@k_salhoutuonuo) March 2, 2023

The NDPP has won 23 seats so far and the BJP has won 12, giving them a joint tally of 35 seats. Further, they together are leading in another 2 seats.

After NDPP-BJP alliance crossed halfway mark in Nagaland Assembly election, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton tweeted, "Our alliance is committed to working towards the development of Nagaland, and ensuring peace & prosperity for all. We are humbled by the trust placed in us and will work towards fulfilling our promises and delivering good governance to the people." 

For new avenues of employment, Vote for BJP! pic.twitter.com/tnxkDsJdHq

— BJP Nagaland (@BJP4Nagaland) February 25, 2023

History has been made!

Heartfelt congratulations, Mrs. @k_salhoutuonuo and Mrs. @Hekani Jakhalu on winning Assembly Elections. You carry the hopes of women and future generations as changemakers and role models. I hope you will continue to be passionate and courageous. pic.twitter.com/goMlR3fEXD

— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) March 2, 2023

The NDPP has won 22 seats so far and the BJP has won 12, giving them a joint tally of 33 seats. Further, they together are leading in another three seats.

Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton representing BJP won his seat from Tyui constituency defeating Y.Kikon from Rashtriya Janata Dal. 

1/2: Grateful to everyone who placed their faith in me and voted for me. It's an absolute honour to have been chosen to serve as your representative. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!@BJP4India @BJP4Nagaland @narendramodi @AmitShah @JPNadda @blsanthosh @NalinSKohli pic.twitter.com/5sFoYnLzJb

— Yanthungo Patton (@YanthungoPatton) March 2, 2023

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its alliance National Democratic Progressive Party won 31 seats, and as per latets trends, was ahead in 6 more. 

Break Down:

BJP has won 11 seats and was ahead in 1 more
NDPP has won in 20 seats and was ahead in 5 more

In a nail biting finish, the NDPP’s second woman candidate, Salhoutuonuo Kruse has won the Western Angami seat by just seven votes. She will join Hekani Jakhalu as MLA in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, which is set to be the state’s first ever assembly to have women MLAs.

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies -- IPFT and NDPP -- were likely to retain power in Nagaland, as per the latest trends post the initial rounds of counting in these two Northeast states.

The BJP, which contested 20 seats in Nagaland, won 9 seats, as per the latest trends, and was leading in 3 more. Its ally Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), which contested 40 seats, won 14 seats and was ahead in 10 more. 

Kupota Khesoh of National Democratic Progressive Party and Kuzholuzo Nienu of Naga Peoples Front fight neck and neck in Phek, which is considered a stronghold of the NPF. 

Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has won his seat from Northern Angami-II after defeating Congress's SEYIEVILIE SACHU. 

#WATCH | As of now, our alliance NDPP & BJP are way ahead. We are going to get a thumping majority to form the govt under the leadership of our CM Neiphiu Rio. This time we're expecting an increase in the seats compared to last poll results: Yanthungo Patton, Dy CM of #Nagaland pic.twitter.com/ouA2i4wxcP

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2023

While National Democratic Progressive Party won eleven seats in the Nagaland Assembly Election, it opened up a lead in 13 other constituencies. 

Eight from Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party have won seats in the Nagaland Assembly Elections. The NDPP-BJP alliance has been predicted to form government in the 2023 Nagaland Assembly elections. 

Republican Party of India founded by Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has already won two seats in Nagaland Assembly elections. Y. Lima Onen Chang from the party won a seat in Noksen constituency while Imtichoba has won a seat in Tuensang Sadar-II constituency. 

Hekani Jakhalu becomes first woman MLA in Nagaland after winning with a margin of 1536 votes representing Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party in Dimapur-III constituency. She is one of the four women candidates who are contesting the Nagaland Assembly election this year.

The state has had 13 state assemblies but not one woman has been elected to this position so far. On Thursday afternoon as counting is underway in the state, Jakhalu was the sixth person to be officially declared winner in Nagaland by the Election Commission of India.

Of 31,874 votes counted in the constituency, she received 45.16% of the votes, just ahead of the LJP (RV)’s Azheto Zhimomi who received 40.34% votes.

After trailing in the earlier rounds of counting for the Nagaland Assembly, the BJP's Nagaland chief Temjen Imna Along opened up a lead in his constituency, Alongtaki, on Thursday.

According to the latest counting trends shared by the Election Commission of India at 12.15 pm, the BJP Nagaland chief was leading Janata Dal (United) candidate J Lanu Longchar by 1,202 votes.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on course to retain power in Tripura as the party crossed the halfway mark in the latest trends amid the ongoing counting of votes today.According to Election Commission data at 12.30 pm, the BJP is leading in 32 seats while the CPIM-Congress alliance is leading in 16 seats (12 and 4 seats respectively). The Tipra Motha Party is leading in 10 seats.

Chief Minister Manik Saha, who is contesting from the Town Bardowali constituency, was leading Congress' Asish Kumar Saha by over 1,300 votes. 

Republican Party of India (Athawale) and National Democratic Progressive Party have registered wins in Nagaland.  S KEOSHU YIMCHUNGER registered a win in Shamator Chessore constituency with a margin of 2295 votes. Imtichoba won by a margin of 400 votes in Tuensang Sadar-II representing Republican Party of India (Athawale). 

NPP's Sniawbhalang Dhar has bagged the Nartiang Assembly constituency by a margin of 2,123 votes, defeating Congress candidate Emlang Laloo. In Meghalaya, the NPP continues to maintain its lead.  NPP ahead in 25, UDP in 8, TMC in 6, Congress and BJP in 5 each according to NDTV. 

Follow Meghalaya live updates here

Sukrita reports: The first official result for the day from Nagaland has been declared in which the BJP’s candidate P. Bashangmongba Chang has been declared winner from the Tuensang Sadar-1 constituency. After the counting of19,148 votes in the constituency, Chang received 63.3% of the votes. The NCP’s Toyang Chang has come in second with 35.03% votes. This takes the BJP’s tally up to 2 wins already since Kazheto Kinimi is the unopposed winner from Akuluto constituency. --Sukrita Baruah

Follow election analysis here

P. Bashangmongba Chang representing BJP has won in Tuensang Sadar-I constituency. The candidate won by a margin of 5644 votes as BJP-NDPP alliances inches closer to gaining power in the Northeastern state of Nagaland. 

National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is leading in 19 seats while BJP follows with a lead in 8. National People's Party has only gained a lead in 2 seats as of 11:00 am, three hours after counting begun for Nagaland Assembly elections. 

As of 10: 38 am, ECI issued trends in 37 seats showing the LJP (RV) leading in 3 seats and the RPI (A) leading in two. The trends show the LJP (RV) leading  in Aghunato, Dimapur III and Pughoboto and the RPI (A) in Noksen and Tuensang Sadar-II. Both these parties are first time entrants in Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections but have banked on fielding candidates who are experienced hands who have been denied tickets by other parties. For instance, the Azheto Zhimomim, who is LJP (RV) candidate from Dimapur III and is currently leading in the seat, is the incumbent MLA who had been denied a ticket by the NDPP.

The leads for these parties are also significant because even before voting went underway, they declared their support for the BJP in the state, even though the BJP is only in a formal pre-poll alliance with the NDPP. -- Sukrita Baruah

Follow for election analysis here

The Phek constituency is crucial for the beleaguered Naga People's Front (NPF) where its legislature party leader and second-in-command early trends is contesting. In its severely depleted condition, a victory for Nienu—who is a five-time MLA from the seat—is crucial for building morale within the party as it prepares to reorganize itself in the years to come. 

However, early trends on the seat issued by the ECI show him trailing behind the NDPP’s Kupota Khesoh by a narrow margin of 167 votes. -- Sukrita Baruah 

Follow for analysis here

The BJP seems to be retaining the foothold in the Northeastern region which it has gained since Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the party to power at the centre in 2014. The early trends show that the party is ahead of the combined Opposition in Tripura, its alliance leading in Nagaland and gaining more seats in Meghalaya, a state where the Conrad Sangma led National People's Party (NPP) is looking to remain in power.

With the results going in the expected way, party leaders claim that it is a verdict on the development agenda pursued by PM Modi and the BJP. If the final results are on the same lines, the party can reassure its strategy to cut through the accusation of anti-minority and anti-tribal with the development and good governance narrative. The results in the northeastern states will not only reaffirm the party's dominance in the region, but also would be a major morale boost ahead of the crucial elections coming up this year including those in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. -- Liz Mathew

For more analysis follow live here

In Tripura, the early lead enjoyed by BJP and allies has diminished to 32 of 60 seats as royal scion Pradyot Kishore’s TIPRA Motha party climbed ahead in 12 seats in initial trends. The Congress-Left alliance is leading in 18 seats, as per reports on NDTV. 

Follow live for more updates: Tripura election live updates

National Democractic Progressive Party has fast gained a lead in 10 seats now. BJP-NDPP alliance are predicted to win in the Nagaland elections in the exit polls while National People's front also pose a challenge to make a significant hole in the vote share. 

48-year-old Hekani Jakhalu contesting from the Dimapur-III constituency on a ticket of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is one of only four women in the fray in Nagaland this time. The four might have appeared just a speck among the 184 candidates contesting for the 60 seats in Nagaland, but in the days leading up to polling, there was a strong air of anticipation that this time, after 14 Assembly elections, Nagaland might finally get at least one woman MLA. Kahuli Sema (57), contesting on a BJP ticket from Atoizu, plunged into politics last year after taking voluntary retirement as Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department — only the second Naga woman to hold the post. Salhoutuonuo Kruse (56), the NDPP candidate from Western Angami, has years of work in civil society organisations behind her, including as president and subsequently advisor of the Angami Women’s Organisation.Rosy Thomson (58) is contesting on a Congress ticket from Tening after being a Congress party worker since the 1980s. Read more

KAM Meghalaya or the Voice of the People Party (VPP) or Rising People’s Party (RPP) are unlikely to be in a position to form the government in Meghalaya or Nagaland after the results are declared. The government will be formed by established parties and leaders, if post-poll reports and surveys are right. However, a host of new players have emerged in Meghalaya and Nagaland, which voted on Monday, and Tripura, where polling was held on February 16. These new entrants may not win many seats, but they point to a churn in society and dissatisfaction with the existing political class. Read more

Early trends show BJP claiming a 19.5% vote share with a lead in two seats currently. Naga People's Front is predicted to claim a 10.3% vote share while National Democractic Progressive Party (NDPP) has a share of 20.4% share predicted. The exit polls have predicted a BJP-NDPP alliance win. Early trends have alloted a large chunk of vote percentage to independent candidtates too at 27.3%. 

BJP’s Kazheto Kimini in Akuluto constituency won unopposed after the only candidate running against him withdrew from the race on Friday, the last date for candidates to withdraw their nominations. The exit polls have predicted a BJP-NDPP alliance win but NPF and other opposition parties are also gaining fast with a lead now with NPF gaining a lead in 6 seats according to NDTV live election results. Read more

The BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) alliance is now leading in 50 seats according to NDTV Live Election Results. Naga People's Front (NPF) is pegged at a lead of 6 seats now and other independent candidates are leading in 3 seats. 

Counting of votes for the Nagaland Assembly election commenced in 16 centres across the state under tight security measures on Thursday, an official said. 183 candidates are in the fight – 164 from 12 political parties, including four women nominees and 19 Independent aspirants are in the fray.

The Akuluto seat has been won uncontested by BJP nominee Kazheto Kinimi.

Counting of votes started at 8 am with postal ballots after which counting of EVMs will be taken up. (PTI)

The BJP-NDPP alliance has fast taken a lead in Nagaland for 16 seats out of the total 59 according to NDTV Live Election Results. The exit polls have predicted a BJP-NDPP alliance to come to power in the state while Opposition parties including Naga People’s Front (NPF) are predicted to upset the power dynamics. 

Can the alliance of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the BJP retain power in Nagaland? How many seats will the beleagured Naga People’s Front (NPF), ousted five years ago, get? These are the questions that will be answered as the results of the Assembly elections are declared on Thursday.

In the battle for 60 seats, these will be the five constituencies to watch out for in Nagaland. Northern Angami-I, Tyui, Phek, Atoizu and Dimapur III are these five. Why are these five seats crucial for Nagaland elections. Read more

The counting of votes for the Nagaland Assembly Elections 2023 will begin at 8 am. The following visuals are from counting centre at Deputy Commissioner's office in Kohima. The exit polls have predicted a BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDPP) win but some believe that Opposition parties, including the Naga People’s Front (NPF) can upset this. 

Nagaland | The counting of votes for the #NagalandAssemblyElections2023 will begin at 8 am; Visuals from counting centre at Deputy Commissioner's office in Kohima pic.twitter.com/XdT0sWc4e9

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2023

With exit polls predicting the BJP’s return to power in Nagaland along with coalition partner National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the National People’s Front (NPF) battling for political relevance, here is a look at what is at stake for the major parties ahead of the declaration of results on Thursday.

Exit polls have predicted a decisive win for the BJP-NDPP alliance and have especially predicted a significant increase in the NDPP’s wins from the last election. In the last six years, the NDPP in particular has been working towards pushing all its challengers into a corner. Formed by NPF rebels supporting Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in 2017, with a host of known faces, it won 16 out of the 40 seats it contested. The BJP — which joined hands with the NDPP after turning its back to the NPF — had a much higher success rate, winning 12 of the 20 seats it contested. Read more

Can the alliance of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the BJP retain power in Nagaland? How many seats will the beleagured Naga People’s Front (NPF), ousted five years ago, get? These are the questions that will be answered as the results of the Assembly elections are declared on Thursday.

The Congress finds itself depleted and the NPF’s strength eroded over the last five years. A group of regional and non-regional parties claim that they could be potential “kingmakers” after the polls.

In the battle for 60 seats, these will be the five constituencies to watch out for:

Northern Angami-I
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is contesting from here and as the CM candidate for the NDPP-BJP alliance, he will be eyeing the top post for the fifth term. Since 1989, Rio has won every state election he has contested from this seat. However, unlike in 2018, when he was elected after his opponent withdrew his candidature, he faced Seyievilie Sachu of the Congress in the elections this time.

Tyui
The stronghold of Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, a BJP candidate, this constituency is located in Wokha district. The elections in the constituency have always been hotly contested.This time too, Patton is engaged in a four-cornered contest with Janata Dal (United) state president Senchumo Lotha; the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) Y Kikon, and Independent candidate Hayithung Tungoe Lotha.

Phek
This contest will be crucial for the NPF, with its legislature party leader and second-in-command Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu seeking his fifth term from here. Almost all of NPF’s other prominent faces have crossed over to the NDPP and the party is only contesting 22 seats. In this scenario, Nienu’s fate will be crucial for the morale of the party. Nienu is up against the NDPP’s Kupota Khesoh and the Congress’s Zachilhu Ringa Vadeo. Read Full Report

With exit polls predicting the BJP’s return to power in Nagaland along with coalition partner National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the National People’s Front (NPF) battling for political relevance, here is a look at what is at stake for the major parties ahead of the declaration of results on Thursday.

With no other party having contested more than 23 seats, the ruling alliance did not face a full contest from any of its rivals. However, because there are such a large number of parties and candidates in the race this year and, more than anything, individual candidates pull more weight than parties in Nagaland, other parties are still hoping for a scenario that will call for post-poll alliances in government formation. Read Full Report