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Assembly polls: Pema Khandu-led BJP govt retains Arunachal; SKM sweeps Sikkim

In Sikkim, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang is all set to return to power

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu. (Right) Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang | X

The ruling BJP in Arunachal Pradesh is all set to retain power in Arunachal Pradesh with the party leading in over 33 of 50 seats where elections were held. Arunachal has a total of 60 seats, of which 10 have already been won by BJP unopposed.

As of 11 am on Sunday, the National People’s Party (NPEP) is leading on eight seats, the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) on two seats, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on three seats, Congress on one and Independents are leading on two seats.

In 2019 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 41 assembly constituencies. The JD (U) won seven assembly seats, the NPP five, Congress four and the PPA one. Two Independent candidates had also emerged victorious. 

Counting of votes for 50 assembly seats in the northeastern state began at 6 am on Sunday. In Arunachal, the counting is being held at  24 district headquarters amid heavy rain. The final results are expected to be out by noon, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said. "A three-tier security arrangement has been made in all counting centres," he said.

Who is leading in Sikkim?

In Sikkim, the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is set to sweep the Assembly elections with a lead in 30 of the 32 assembly seats.

Chief Minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidate Prem Singh Tamang was leading by around 6,443 votes over his nearest SDF rival Som Nath Poudyal from the Rhenock assembly constituency.

However, Former CM and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling was trailing behind SKM candidate Raju Basnet by 1,852 votes in the Namcheybung seat. 

Former India Football captain and SDF candidate Bhaichung Bhutia was trailing behind SKM rival Riksal Dorjee Bhutia by 4,346, votes in the Barfung Assembly seat. Sikkim BJP unit president Dilli Ram Thapa was trailing behind his SKM rival Kala Rai by 2,312 votes in the Upper Burtuk Assembly constituency.

In the 2019 Assembly elections, the SKM won 17 seats, while the SDF secured 15 seats.