BJP achieves landslide victory in Arunachal Pradesh; Khandu expected to retain CM position

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections with a landslide victory, securing 46 out of 60 seats. Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who has led since 2016, is expected to continue in his role. 

Unopposed wins and polling results

Ten BJP candidates, including CM Khandu and Deputy CM Chowna Mein, won their seats unopposed. Polling for the remaining 50 seats took place on April 19, where the BJP won 36 more seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of Arunachal Pradesh on social media, thanking them for their support and promising continued development.

The National People's Party (NPP), part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level, secured five seats, coming in second. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won three seats, the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) got two seats, Congress won one seat, and Independent candidates took three seats.

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Former Chief Minister and state Congress president, Nabam Tuki, mentioned that the Congress fielded 34 candidates initially, but only 19 remained in the race due to financial influence. The NPP contested independently, fielding 20 candidates, which made it easier for the BJP to return to power.

BJP state spokesperson Techi Necha said the swearing-in ceremony for the new chief minister and cabinet is expected after June 6, following the Lok Sabha election results.

Voter turnout and historical context

Arunachal Pradesh saw a voter turnout of 82.95% on April 19. In the previous 2019 elections, the BJP had won 41 seats, with Janata Dal-United securing seven, NPP five, Congress four, People's Party of Arunachal one, and Independents two. 

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This year's unopposed BJP wins included seats in Ziro-Hapoli, Taliha, Tali, Sagalee, Roing, Mukto, Itanagar, Hayuliang, Chowkham, and Bomdila. The election commission had moved up the vote counting date by two days, with the assembly's tenure ending on June 2. Votes for Arunachal Pradesh's two Lok Sabha seats will be counted on June 4, along with the rest of the country.