Nagaland Peoples’ Front (NPF) has won Two Thirds MAjority in the Nagaland’s 60 Seater Assembly and swept back to Power for consecutive 3rd term
The NPF, the main constituent of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), saw its own tally go up to 38 – up by 12 from the 26 won in the 2008 polls – while coalition partners Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal-United won a seat each, election officials here said.
The Congress, the main opposition party, won only eight seats, falling almost two-thirds from its tally of 23 in the outgoing assembly.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) increased its tally by securing four seats, up from the two it won in 2008. Besides, there are eight Independents who also made it to the assembly this time.
A total of 188 candidates were in the fray.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio won the Northern Angami II seat by defeating his nearest Congress rival Kevise Sogotsu by 12,671 votes, which is also the highest margin this time in Nagaland.
“People have voted us to power once again as they are convinced that the DAN government has brought peace and development to the state. I thank people of Nagaland for reposing their faith in our government,” NPF general secretary Kru Zakie told IANS.
Rio was, however, not available for comments.
Senior Congress leader and former chief minister S.C. Jamir attributed his party’s debacle to “money power” of the NPF.
“It is very sad but the NPF has spoilt the Nagas totally. There is no point having a public meeting in Nagaland these days. Anybody can be bought by money. NPF pumped in huge money to win the elections. The NPF can afford to spend money as they have accumulated a huge sum during the last ten years,” said Jamir.
While the NPF had a pre-poll alliance with the BJP and JD-U, the Congress had hoped to woo like-minded parties and Independents to make it to power this time.
In 2008, the NPF secured 26 seats and the Congress 23. The BJP and NCP won two seats each. Seven Independents also won in 2008.
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NPF Â is leading ahead at most seats in the 2013 Assembly Polls and is expected to get a clear mandate in the 60 Member Assembly.
The NPF had bagged one seat and was ahead in 17 seats till 10.30 a.m. The Congress was in the lead in seven seats, officials said. Counting had started at 8 a.m.
While the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was leading in two seats, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) were leading in one seat each, the sources added.
The state’s ruling NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) alliance is hoping for a third consecutive term.
The counting of ballots will decide the fates of 188 candidates, including two women.
“Counting is on in full swing in all the 60 counting halls. It is peaceful and there is no report of any untoward incident being reported so far,” Joint Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland N. Moa Aier told IANS.
Three-tier security has been arranged in all the counting centres to ensure that counting goes off without a hitch.
In the last elections in the state in 2008, the NPF had secured 26 seats, while the Congress managed 23. The BJP and NCP secured two seats each. There were also seven independents who made it to the assembly.
DAN has the support of 35 legislators in the outgoing Nagaland assembly.