Northeast after winning two key Assembly by-elections in Nagaland and Tripura. The results, declared on Monday, are being seen as an important boost for the party ahead of upcoming elections in the region.In Nagaland, BJP candidate Daochier I. Imchen won the Koridang (ST) seat. The bypoll was held following the death of senior leader Imkong L. Imchen. Imchen defeated Congress candidate T Chalukumba Ao, who had earlier contested the 2023 Assembly elections on a Janata Dal (United) ticket. The contest saw consolidation of support in favour of the BJP after party leader Imchainba Jamir withdrew from the race.In Tripura, BJP’s Jahar Chakraborti won the Dharmanagar seat, defeating Congress candidate Chayan Bhattacharjee and CPI(M) nominee Amitabha Datta. The by-election in this constituency was necessitated by the death of Speaker and four-time MLA Biswa Bandhu Sen.
Both seats recorded strong voter participation. Koridang witnessed a turnout of 75.06 per cent, the highest among the constituencies that went to polls, while Dharmanagar recorded 70.09 per cent turnout. Officials said the numbers reflect steady voter engagement in the electoral process. The by-elections were part of a larger exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India across eight Assembly constituencies in six states. Polling in some constituencies, including Umreth in Gujarat and Rahuri and Baramati in Maharashtra, was held on April 23, with counting also completed on the same day.A planned by-election in Goa’s Ponda constituency was cancelled following a direction from the Bombay High Court.
With these wins, the BJP has strengthened its foothold in the Northeast, a region where it has steadily increased its organisational reach over the past few years. Political observers say the results may help the party build momentum as it prepares for future electoral contests.
