Assembly election results: BJP to retain power in Arunachal; Khandu to remain CM
Assembly election results: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Arunachal Pradesh is poised to sweep the assembly elections for a second consecutive term, and incumbent Chief Minister Pema Khandu will remain in office, party officials announced on Sunday.
Ten BJP candidates, including Khandu and his deputy Chowna Mein, won unopposed, and the remaining 50 seats were polled on April 19.
According to the Election Commission of India, as of 9:45 am, nearly four hours after counting began at 6:00 am, the BJP candidates were leading in 33 of the 50 seats where voting had taken place.
The National Peoples Party (NPP) candidates, who are part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, were ahead in six seats. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidates led in four seats, the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) in three, and the Independents in two. Trends for the remaining two seats were not available.
"We're going to win. The verdict reflects voters' trust in the BJP's rule at the national and state levels. Pema Khandu will serve another term as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh,” said Techi Necha, Arunachal Pradesh BJP spokesperson.
Even before the counting began, the BJP's victory was almost certain because it had won 10 seats unopposed.
Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election
The election commission had postponed the counting of votes for the assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim by two days, as the terms of the two assemblies are set to end on June 2. The votes for Arunachal Pradesh's two Lok Sabha seats will be counted on June 4 alongside the rest of the country.
The state witnessed 82.95% voter turnout on April 19.
- With inputs from agencies
