Nagaland Election results 2023: NDPP-BJP alliance returns to power

Dimapur, March 2 (MExN):  The ruling alliance of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returned to power in Nagaland on March 2 with the declaration of results of assembly elections to 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly held on February 27. 

As per the official tally on the Election Commission of India’s results portal on Thursday 5:35 PM, the alliance had secured 35 seats and leading in two, taking the combined total to 37. 

The majority mark for the 60-seat NLA is 31. 

As per the status, the NDPP was the single largest party and poised to win 25 seats, with 23 already declared and leading in two.

Despite a high profile campaign, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister as well as galaxy of union ministers and leaders, the BJP could not improved upon its 2018 tally and managed to retained 12 seats. 

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) showed a strong performance by winning 5 seats and leading in two in the evening. Four seats went to Independent candidates. 

The National People’s Party also performed better by securing five seats, against 2 in 2018.

Among the biggest loser was the previous powerhouse Naga People’s Front (NPF), which managed to win just 2 seats. The Congress too drew blank once again despite a strong campaign.  

The Lok Jan Shakti (Ram Vilas) and the Republican Party of India (Athawali) also marked their entry into the NLA by winning 2 seats each. 

The Janata Dal (United) was leading in one seat. 

Meanwhile, NDPP’s Hekhani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse made history by becoming the first ever women representatives to the NLA by winning their respective seat. 

Jakhalu contesting 3-Dimapur III Assembly Constituency (AC) defeated Azheto Zhimomi of Lok Janshakti Party(Ram Vilas) by a margin on 1536 votes.

Contesting from the 8 Western Angami AC, Kruse defeated Independent candidate Keneizhakho Nakhro with a razor-edge margin of 7 votes.