BJP Goes From Zero to Hero in Tripura, Nagaland Down to the Wire

There has never been a BJP chief minister in either Tripura, Meghalaya or Nagaland. Will that change today?

Meghnad Bose

Politics

Updated: 05 Mar 2018, 08:47 PM IST

Amit Shah and Narendra Modi have much reason to celebrate today.

(Photo: PTI)

Nagaland: BJP Set to Oust Naga People’s Front?

The Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) has been in power in the state since 2003. Will 15 years of anti-incumbency finally take its toll today?
Exit polls predict a victory for the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) alliance.

Also ReadNeiphiu Rio Takes Oath as Nagaland CM For Fourth Time

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 8:17 AM

Meghalaya: Can Congress Hold Fort?

Meghalaya has traditionally been a Congress stronghold. In its entire electoral history since 1972, only one non-Congress government has completed a full five- year term in Meghalaya.
Exit polls place the Congress and the National People’s Party (NPP) in a close contest. Post-poll alliances may hold the key if neither party manages to reach the magic figure of 31 in the 60-member Assembly.

Also ReadMeghalaya Elects Hung Assembly, Cong Largest Party With 21 Seats

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 8:17 AM

Tripura: Will Manik Lose Sarkar?

Can CPI(M)’s talisman Manik Sarkar stave off the BJP’s advances into Left Front territory?(Photo: File/Altered by The Quint)

Barring one term of the Congress from 1988 to 1993, Tripura has had a Left Front government since 1978.
Manik Sarkar himself has been the CM since March 1998, that’s two decades in power.
The Left is looking for an unprecedented sixth consecutive victory in Tripura.
In the first-ever direct fight between the Left and the Right in a state election in India, exit polls suggest that the BJP stands a strong chance of breaking into the CPI(M)’s bastion.

Also ReadTripura Elections: BJP+ Dethrone Manik ‘Sarkar’ With 43 Seats

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 11:22 AM

What's at Stake for the Congress?

In Nagaland, the Congress fielded only 18 candidates, less than a third of the total seats on offer, seemingly having given up on the election even before the first votes were cast. The decision reportedly caused discontent among the local leadership of the party and has been attributed to factors ranging from defection of leaders to a cash crunch and shortage of resources.
In Tripura, the Congress will be little more than a spectator as the Left and the BJP await the results of their duel. Though the CPI(M) recently resolved to not join hands with the Congress in the run up to the 2019 general election, the Congress will be hoping that the Left party staves off the challenge from Modi and Shah today.
That leaves Meghalaya the only state that can bring the Congress some real cheer today. Yet, a decade of anti-incumbency might spoil the party for incumbent Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and co.

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 11:22 AM

Early Leads in Tripura: BJP and Left Front Neck and Neck

In early leads, the BJP is ahead in 10 seats and the Left Front in nine seats. The first signs of an impressive BJP showing is on the cards. Whether or not the saffron party ends the two-decade-long reign of CM Manik Sarkar, it will surely establish itself as the primary opposition party in the state.

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 10:43 AM

Meghalaya: Will 'Others' Play Kingmaker?

Of the 11 seats for which early leads are coming in, ‘Others’ are leading in 4 seats. The Congress and the NPP are leading in 4 seats apiece, and the BJP is ahead in one seat.

The magic figure in the 60-member Assembly is 31. If both the Congress and the NPP fail to reach that mark, those in the ‘Others’ category will assume a much greater importance, and potentially turn kingmakers.

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 11:22 AM

Nagaland: BJP-NDPP Ahead in Early Leads

Though initial leads have come in from only 8 seats of the 60-member Assembly, the BJP-NDPP alliance seems to be off to a good start. The BJP is ahead in 6 seats and the incumbent NPF is leading in two seats as of now.

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 10:43 AM

Tripura: Nail-biter of an Election on the Cards

More leads coming in – the BJP leads in 21, Left ahead in 22 seats.

Magic figure: 31 seats out of 60

Given that these numbers are just leads and NOT results, either party crossing the 30 mark right now will not stand for much. If this trajectory continues, this race might just go down to the wire. BJP supporters in the state are already celebrating the meteoric rise of the party – from nothing five years ago to battling for power today.

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 11:22 AM

Left Goes Ahead in Tripura, Crosses Magic Figure (But Wait!)

The Left is ahead in 32 seats, the BJP in 22. Manik Sarkar seems to be taking CPI(M) home to a sixth consecutive Assembly election victory.

But these are just early leads. So if you’re a Left supporter, don’t begin those celebrations just yet, maybe?

Does the BJP still have a reason to celebrate? Very much so.Is it any closer to forming government in Tripura though? At the moment, things aren’t looking too good for the saffron party.

Updated at:3rd Mar, 2018 at 11:22 AM

Which National Party Will Party Tonight?

The BJP is trailing in Tripura and Nagaland, and the Congress is leading in Meghalaya. As far as the two national parties are concerned, the grand old party seems to be having a better day so far.

But that’s not the whole picture. In Tripura, the BJP has made unprecedented strides, surging ahead from zero seats in the 2013 election to being all set to become the primary opposition party post this election.

In Nagaland, the Congress party is discontent with the central leadership not backing a full bid to power. The Congress fielded only 18 candidates in the state this election.