NEW DELHI, India: The electoral landscape in the Himalayan states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh unfolds as votes are counted for their legislative assemblies.
In Arunachal Pradesh, where ten BJP candidates were elected unopposed, the counting proceeds for 50 out of 60 Assembly seats. The BJP has surged past the halfway mark, securing 14 wins and leading in 33 seats. Additionally, Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party is ahead in six constituencies.
Meanwhile, in Sikkim, the incumbent Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has crossed the halfway threshold in initial trends. With two seats secured and leading in 31, the SKM appears poised for another term. The Opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) leads in one seat.
Key figures among the elected unopposed include Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and other prominent leaders from various constituencies.
Reflecting on past elections, the 2019 assembly polls saw a diverse outcome with JD(U), NPP, Congress, and PPA securing seats along with independent candidates.
In Sikkim, the electoral battle primarily unfolds between the ruling SKM and the SDF. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang spearheads SKM’s campaign, contesting from multiple constituencies. Former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling expresses confidence in SDF’s resurgence, recalling their lengthy tenure despite the SKM’s 2019 victory.
Notably, the SKM’s victory in 2019 marked a significant political shift, ending the SDF’s longstanding rule despite the latter garnering more votes. This underscores the pivotal role of the ‘first past the post’ system in determining electoral outcomes.
As the electoral saga unfolds, the BJP’s dominance in Arunachal Pradesh and the SKM’s lead in Sikkim mark crucial developments in India’s political landscape, shaping the future trajectory of these Himalayan states.
