Hyderabad: Early trends in Nagaland suggest that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is inching towards a three-fourth majority in the state. Out of the total 60 seats, the BJP is leading in 43 constituencies, while Naga People's Front (NPF) is leading in 6 seats. This puts the BJP-NDPP combine in a strong position to form the next government in the state.
The National People's Party (NPP) and the Congress are leading in 2 and 1 seats respectively. The remaining 14 seats have been won by independent candidates and other smaller parties. The Chief Ministerial candidate of the NDPP-BJP alliance, Neiphiu Rio, is seeking a second term in power.
The NPF had fielded candidates in 21 seats, while the Congress had stated that it would not ally with the BJP but may join a like-minded secular front to form the government. The results of the election are expected to be declared by the end of the day.
The tenure of the 13th Nagaland Assembly is scheduled to end on March 12. In the previous assembly elections held in February 2018, the coalition of NDPP and BJP had formed the state government, with Neiphiu Rio as the Chief Minister. The BJP's impressive performance in Nagaland comes as a boost for the party, which has been facing criticism over the controversial farm laws and protests by farmers across the country. The victory in Nagaland will further consolidate the BJP's position in the Northeast, where it has been steadily expanding its presence in recent years.
The BJP's success in Nagaland is also a setback for the NPF, which was hoping to regain power in the state. The NPF had emerged as the single largest party in the previous assembly elections, but the BJP had formed the government by severing ties with its local ally.
Overall, the early trends indicate a clear victory for the BJP-NDPP combine in Nagaland, with the party inching towards a three-fourth majority in the state. The final results are awaited with anticipation, as they will determine the shape of the next government in the state.
