The Bharatiya Janata Party has retained power in Manipur by becoming the second party after the Congress to get majority in the State’s 60-member Assembly.
The BJP won 32 seats, one more than the simple majority mark, while the Congress had bagged 42 in 2012 But the former’s performance has virtually bulldozed the latter, which ended up with five seats, two less than the National People’s Party (NPP) headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Here are the live updates from Uttar Pradesh,Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand results.
View detailed map of Manipur results here
Manipuri Holi grips BJP week ahead of schedule
Thursday morning started more or less on the same note for the political parties that contested Manipur’s mandate 2022.
A fleet of vehicles began arriving at party headquarters here soon after counting of votes began at 8 a.m. Leaders, alighting with the ‘V’ sign, opted to huddle indoors. Animated workers began darting here and there to be in the view of their leaders.
But the scenario began changing as the trends started coming in. The activities at the BJP headquarters in the Keishampat locality increased, with party workers arranging trays full of flower petals and garlands in no time.
Yaoshang, the Manipuri version of the north Indian Holi, arrived a week ahead of schedule at the BJP office. The environment was more boisterous at Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh’s private residence, about 9 km away on the road to Nagaland capital Kohima.
More than the spraying of colours, Thabal Chongba – dancing by moonlight associated with Yaoshang – ruled the rejoicing at every spot that wore flags bearing the party’s Lotus symbol.
“The people’s support for the BJP is reflected in our happiness, more so because we are in a position to form a government on our own,” State BJP president A. Sharda Devi told The Hindu.
BJP's "grand victory" result of people's faith in PM's welfare programmes for poor and farmers: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the BJP's "grand victory" in Uttar Pradesh is the result of the people's faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's welfare programmes for villages, the poor and farmers.
He also said that the state's people have put their stamp on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's good governance and an administration free from fear and corruption.
In a series of tweets, the senior BJP leader also expressed his gratitude to the people of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa for reposing their faith in the BJP.
The BJP is set to return to power in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa as results for the assembly elections in the four states along with Punjab are declared on Thursday. The Aam Aadmi Party is posed to form its first government in Punjab.
"The grand victory of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh is a victory of unshakable faith of the people in the welfare programmes of PM @narendramodi for the villages, poor and farmers," Mr. Shah said in a tweet in Hindi.
The minister said he salutes the people of Uttar Pradesh for relentlessly showing their unwavering faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019 and assembly elections in 2017 and now in 2022.
"People have put their stamp on @myogiadityanath ji's fear and corruption free good governance. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of UP for this massive victory," he said.
Mr. Shah congratulated party workers and the state BJP leadership for the "grand victory", and taking the party's ideas to the grassroot level.
"BJP is determined to fulfil the expectations and aspirations of the people of Uttar Pradesh," he said.
Mr. Shah thanked the people of Uttarakhand for giving BJP a chance to serve again.
"Devbhoomi has expressed its unwavering faith in the development works and public-welfare policies of the BJP government led by PM @narendramodi," he said.
He thanked party workers, outgoing Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the party's state leadership for the BJP's victory in the polls.
The Home Minister said in a tweet "Thank you, Manipur. PM @narendramodi Ji's resolve for a prosperous North-East has earned him a special place in the hearts of the people of our NE region, this victory is a testament to the same. Congratulations to CM @NBirenSingh Ji, @AShardaDevi Ji and our karyakartas".
In another tweet, Mr. Shah said "Grateful to the people of Goa for reposing their faith in the BJP. BJP under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the aspirations of our sisters & brothers of Goa. Congratulations to @DrPramodPSawant, @ShetSadanand & our karyakartas".
CM Biren seeks cooperation of people
The Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren has sought the cooperation of the people so that in the next term the government could do many things for the people. He was speaking briefly on the sidelines when he came to collect his certificate of being elected in the elections held on February 28 and March 5 to elect 60 MLAs. He said that stress will be given on uplifting the women and to introduce various schemes for the youths.
Meanwhile clarifying speculations on the next Chief Minister Biren said that there is no Chief Ministerial face in the 5 states where elections are held. The question was raised as the state BJP president A. Sharda was reported to have said that there is no plan to search for another leader.
Mr. Biren said that once the dust settles down the national leaders of the BJP will name the next Chief Minister. Mr. Biren has been saying the BJP shall secure 40 plus and will form a BJP ministry. However he said on Thursday that the BJP shall bag 30 plus and may join hands with all other parties except the NPP.
He further said that the BJP may join hands with any party except the National People’s Party which is a ruling coalition partner. There have been verbal warfare between the BJP and the NPP leaders. The NPP state unit leader Y. Joykumar who has been the Deputy Chief Minister has been saying that the NPP will join hands with the like-minded parties to form the next ministry.
Big blow for NPP in Manipur as Deputy Chief Minister and ex-DGP Yumnam Joykumar loses Uripok seat to BJP. Former Deputy Chief Minister and Congress heavyweight Gaikhangam also loses Nungba seat to BJP’s Dinganglung Gangmei.
Manipur Congress president Nameirakpam Loken loses Nambol seat to Thounaojam Basantakumar of BJP
Assembly poll results put BJP on firm wicket for Presidential elections
The BJP's victory in the assembly polls on Thursday has put the party on a stronger wicket for the election for the post of President expected later this year.
The big victory for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh has given Prime Minister Narendra Modi a free hand to decide on the successor to President Ram Nath Kovind, who will complete his tenure on July 24, 2022, political analysts said.
Had the Uttar Pradesh election results gone in favour of the Samajwadi Party, the BJP would have had to rely on the support of fence-sitters such as Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) who together control a sizeable chunk of votes.
The electoral college for the presidential election comprises elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and elected members of state legislative assemblies and that of NCT Delhi and Union Territory of Puducherry. Members of Legislative Councils and nominated members do not form part of the electoral college.
"It is advantage NDA now," former Lok Sabha secretary general P Sreedharan told PTI.
In terms of numbers, the electoral college is made up of 233 members of Rajya Sabha, 543 members of Lok Sabha and 4,120 members of legislative assemblies — a total of 4,896 electors.
The value of the vote of every MP has been fixed at 708, while among states the value of the vote of an MLA is the highest at 208.
The total value of votes of the Uttar Pradesh assembly is 83,824, Punjab (13,572), Uttarakhand (4480), Goa (800) and Manipur (1080).
The string of victories in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur have turned the presidential elections a cakewalk for the BJP, a political observer said.
A section of the opposition had projected NCP supremo Sharad Pawar as a possible candidate for the presidential election. TRS supremo and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had met a section of opposition leaders, apparently with an eye on playing a key role in the presidential election.
In a bid to create a divide in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the NCP has even proposed the name of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a joint opposition candidate in the presidential election, should he part ways with the BJP.
The presidential elections follow the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. The value of each vote is pre-determined in proportion to the population of the respective state based on the 1971 census.
The total value of the electoral college, comprising 4,896 electors is 10,98,903 and the winning candidate has to get at least 50 per cent plus one vote to be declared as elected.
Listen to an analysis of the election results by our journalists Nistula Hebbar, Amit Baruah and Varghese K. George
Naga People’s Front will be part of coalition, says Biren Singh
“Naga People’s Front will be part of coalition, but I don’t think National People’s Party will be with us,” said Manipur CM N. Biren Singh after his party won 14 seats and was leading in 13 other. -- Rahul Karmakar
Former CM Ibobi Singh retains seat
Former Manipur Chief Ministger Okram Ibobi Singh retains his pet Thoubal seat defeating Leitanthem Basanta of BJP by 2,543 votes; margin against same candidate has reduced from 10,452 votes in 2017/
Two women elected in Manipur — SS Olish of BJP and Kimneo Haokip Hangshing of the newly-formed Kuki People's Alliance win Chandel and Saikul seats. They defeated their NPP and independent rivals respectively
BJP wins 12 seats, leads in 13
The ruling BJP coalition looked set to return to power in the insurgency-hit state of Manipur, as it bagged 12 seats and was leading in 13 other constituencies, as per the latest ECI data.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh defeated his nearest Congress rival P Saratchandra Singh by 18,271 votes in Heingang seat.
Nitish Kumar's JD (U) bagged three seats and was leading in three constituencies.
Congress and National People's Party (NPP) won two seats each, while two Independent candidates secured victory. The Kuki People's Alliance won one seat and was leading in another.
The NPP and Naga People's Front were ahead in five seats each. Though both parties did not have a pre-poll alliance with the BJP, they were part of the ruling coalition.
The Congress, which ruled the State before the BJP-led coalition came to power in 2017, was leading in two seats.
The counting of votes for 60 assembly seats in Manipur began at 8 AM on Thursday under tight security and strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Trends and results were available with the ECI for 51 constituencies at 4.03 PM.
The BJP had formed the government in Manipur in 2017 despite having just 21 seats, joining hands with regional parties NPP and NPF. The saffron party's own strength later increased to 28.
Humbly accept people's verdict, will continue to work for people's interests: Rahul Gandhi
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the party humbly accepts the people's verdict in the Assembly polls and will learn from it.
The party, he said, will continue to work for the interests of the people of the country.
Mr. Gandhi's comments came after the Congress failed to make a mark in the Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, and lost Punjab to the AAP.
"Humbly accept the people’s verdict. Best wishes to those who have won the mandate. My gratitude to all Congress workers and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. We will learn from this and keep working for the interests of the people of India," Mr. Gandhi said on Twitter.
Poll results show that politics of appeasement has no place in country, says MP CM
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said the BJP is heading towards a "great victory" in four out of five states, and it has clearly given a message that politics of appeasement has no place in the country.
As per the Election Commission of India's data, the BJP is headed for a second straight win in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh and dominated the trends chart in three other states — Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) readied for a landslide win in Punjab.
"It (BJP's performance) reflects the faith and confidence that people reposed in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is a blessing to the double engine government in Uttar Pradesh," Mr. Chouhan told reporters.
The way Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami and Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant implemented welfare-oriented policies at the ground level, it clearly reflected that politics of appeasement has no place in the country, he said.
It has also given a clear message that there will be no place for those who spread terror, for anti-social activities and divisive politics. These polls have also risen above the issues of dynastic and caste politics in the elections, he said.
Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh cabinet, during its meeting held on Thursday, passed a resolution thanking PM Modi, BJP president J P Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah for the party's "spectacular success" in four states.
Interacting with reporters separately in Gwalior, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar said except Punjab, the BJP is going to form government in four states, while his cabinet colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia praised PM Modi and the party's top brass for its good show in the assembly polls.
"With people's blessings and workers' hard labour, the BJP is winning. We are going to form governments in four states, except in Punjab," Tomar said.
Mr. Scindia said, "We are going to form government due to workers' labour, the faith shown by the people of those states in BJP and their blessings. Today is an important day because the BJP is heading towards a historic win. And this was possible due to the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, BJP president JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah." "This is clear that where there were double engine governments (BJP government at the Centre and states), people reposed faith in development and progress and helped the party to romp home," he told reporters, referring to Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, where it was in power. -- PTI
BJP’s show of strength testimony of people’s faith in governance: State party chief
The BJP’s impressive show in the Manipur assembly elections is a reflection of people's acceptance of the party and its governance, state unit president A Sharda Devi said on Thursday.
Buoyant after BJP’s win in one constituency and with trends indicating a lead in 19 seats in the 60-member House, she said the party will not only be able to meet its target of emerging victorious on its own, but also defeat big personalities of rival parties.
"This time we've been able to do well in areas where we have not won before. The party has gained majorly in pockets which are considered Congress strongholds. It shows that the people of Manipur have accepted us and the governance we've provided," she told PTI here in an interview.
While the final results are awaited, the state BJP chief said her party is confident of securing majority in the state.
"Apart from targeting 40-plus seats, we had also set out to defeat big opponents of other parties in this election. I believe we have achieved that target as well," she asserted.
Supporters of Independent candidate Sapam Nishikant carrying out victory rally. He won the Keishamthong seat in Manipur, on March 10, 2022. | Photo Credit: Rahul Karmakar
Asked who would be the Chief Minister and whether the party would form the government on its own or include allies, Sharda Devi said, "That will be decided by our Parliamentary Board in due course of time." She also said local parties like the NPF and NPP have hinted at supporting the BJP.
On what message she would like to send to the Congress, which is leading in just three seats, the BJP leader said it's the people of Manipur who decide the future, growth and development of the state, and elected political leaders only follow their orders.
"The Congress should always remember that," she added. -- PTI
CM Biren wins Heingang seat by over 18,000 votes
Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren won the Heigang seat by defeating his Congress rival Pangeijam Sharatchandra by 18,271 votes. The results were officially declared by the Election Commission.
Congress opens account
The Opposition Congress opened its account with the party candidaters Thokchom Lokeshwar and Keisham Meghachandra winning Khundrakpam and Wangkhem seats respectively.
As per the results declared till 2.50 pm: the BJP won 4 seats, followed by the JD (U) JD(U) 3, Congress 2, NPP and independent 1 each.
Richest ‘Independent’ wins
Supporters of Independent candidate Sapam Nishikant carrying out victory rally. He won the Keishamthong seat in Manipur, on March 10, 2022. | Photo Credit: Rahul Karmakar
An independent candidate, Sapam Nishikant Singh, richest candidate as per the affidavit, and owner of the State’s largest print media group, wins the Keishamthong seat, dealing a blow to incumbent Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar of NPP.
Mr. Nishikant Singh earlier told that he will not take salary as an MLA but will contribute towards the local development fund. Politics is not about business but a service to the people and “this is a 100 per cent sacrifice”, he told.
JD (U) wins 3 out of the 4 seats declared
JD(U) takes victory lead in Manipur, winning 3 of the 4 seats where results have been declared so far. The ruling BJP has won one and leading in 21 other seats. The JD (U) is leading in 5 more seats.
BJP, JD(U) bag one seat
The BJP set the ball rolling in Manipur, with its candidate Usham Deben Singh defeating Congress rival Mohammed Fajur Rahman by a slender margin of 50 votes in the Wabgai constituency, election officials said on Thursday.
The Janata Dal (United), which is ahead in three seats, also opened its account, winning the Tipaimukh constituency, as its nominee N. Sanate got the better of his nearest BJP rival and former minister Chaltolien Amo by a margin of 1,249 votes.
The BJP is leading in 19 seats, and Chief Minister N Biren Singh is on the verge of winning the Heingang constituency, where he is ahead of his Congress rival by more than 18,000 votes, Election Commission data showed.
The Congress, which had emerged as the single-largest party, winning 28 seats in the 2017 assembly elections, is currently leading in just three seats.
The National People’s Party is leading in four seats, while the Naga People’s Front is ahead in seven seats.
BJP leading in 22 seats, NPP in 6
The National People's Party (NPP) which is contesting from 39 out of the 60 Assembly constituencies in Manipur, is leading in six seats and was only behind the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is leading in 22 seats as of 12.40pm, as per data from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Meanwhile,the Congress is leading in two seats out of the 53 it contested.
However, the NPP's vote share was found lesser than that of the Congress. The NPP secured 16.22% vote share while the Congress had 16.34% of the votes, as per the last update, with the difference bridging as the counting progresses. The NPP was part of the ruling government in Manipur after the 2017 polls when it went along with the BJP. The two parties are contesting separately this time.
Following the 2017 Assembly elections in Manipur, the NPP's vote share was 5.1% while that of the Congress was more than 35%. Congress also emerged the single largest party winning 28 seats but the BJP with 21 seats formed an alliance with the NPP and a few other regional parties.
Janata Dal (United) wins a seat after 22 years
The JD(U) won a seat in Manipur after 22 years with its party candidate Ngursanglur Sanate defeating BJP’s Chalton Lien Amo, in Tipaimukh with a victory margin 1,249 votes.
BJP’s Thokchom Satyabrata declared ‘first winner’
Bharatiya Janata party’s Thokchom Satyabrat, became the first candidate to be declared winner in by the EC, from from Yaiskul seat. She polled 9,346 votes against her rival Huidrom Vikramjit Singh from the NPP< who polled 8,.868 votes.
CM Biren widens lead
As trends start trickling in, the BJP headquarters is being decked up at Keishampat, Imphal on Thursday, March 10, 2022. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The BJP is ahead in 22 seats in Manipur, with Chief Minister N Biren Singh leading by a handsome margin of more than 16,000 votes against his nearest Congress rival in Heingang constituency, Election Commission data showed.
The Congress, which had emerged as the single-largest party, winning 28 seats in the 2017 assembly elections, is currently leading in just three seats, including the Thoubal constituency, where former chief minister O Ibobi Singh is ahead of his BJP rival by 1,225 votes. The National People’s Party is leading in six seats, while the Naga People’s Front is ahead in five seats.
The Republican Party of India (Aathawale), Kuki People’s Alliance and Independents led in one constituency each, according to EC data.
BJP fares better in Muslim-dominated seats
The ruling BJP seems to be doing betterr than others in Muslim-dominated seats. In Lilong Assembly constituency, where Muslims account for over 75% of the population, BJP’s Y. Antas Khan is leading over former Minister and JD (U) candidate Mohammed Abdul Nasir with 50.83% votes counted so far.
KPA leading in Saikul
The newly-formed Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) is leading in the Saikul Assembly constituency in Manipur with their candidate Kimneo Haokip Hangshing gaining at least 29% votes as of 11.45am, according to data from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In the 2022 Assembly polls in the State, the party had fielded candidates from two seats — Saikul and Singhat. Meanwhile, the ECI is yet to update the counting of votes for Singhat assembly constituency.
The KPA was formed to unite the non-Naga tribes of Manipur as a poltiical force and was recognised by the ECI earlier in January 2022. The KPA seeks the Kuki tribe to include the Zomi and the Hmar communities. Manipur has 36 recognised tribal groups of which 12 have now been clubbed as Kuki-Zomi while the remaining 24 are Nagas.
The Kuki-Zomi communities are a majority in at least nine out of the 20 constituencies around the hills of Manipur. The party had initially aimed at contesting from more seats but couldn't field candidates from more than two seats due to time constraints, its vice-president Chinkholal Thangsing had earlier said.
Also read: The history of the Kuki insurgency in Manipur
BJP leading in 23 seats
The BJP is leading in 23 seats and the Congress in 12 constituencies in the initial rounds of counting of votes in Manipur.
As per the official figure of the Election Commission, the BJP was ahead in 16 seats, the National People’s Party in six, the Congress in five and the JD(U) in three constituencies.
The newly formed Kuki People’s Alliance and an Independent candidate led in one constituency each.
N. Biren takes comfortable lead
Chief Minister N Biren Singh led with a huge margin of 8,574 votes against his nearest Congress rival in the Heingang constituency, while former CM and CLP leader O Ibobi Singh was ahead by a margin of 472 votes against BJP’s L Basanta.
Congress president N. Loken Singh trailed by 4,426 votes against BJP candidate Th Basanta, the EC data showed.
Biren visits temple
Chief Minsiter N. Biren offered prayers at Shri Govindraj Temple in Imphal even as the counting is taking place and the BJP hoping to retain the government.
Former Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh with Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik, T.S. Singh Deo and Gaurav Gogoi at the party office in Imphal. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
NPF dominates in Mao
Losii Dikho of Naga People’s Front (NPF) has bagged 99.94% of votes counted so far in Mao constituency of Manipur; NOTA is second best with 0.03% votes, according to election commission sources.
BJP exudes confidence
People wait in queues to cast their votes at a polling station, during the repolls of few Manipur Assembly constituencies on March 8, 2022. | Photo Credit: PTI
Expressing confidence on the poll mandate, the BJP said it will comfortable cross the half-way mark. “We will get 40 seats because people happy with our good governance”, BJP’s Manipur president A. Sharda Devi said.
BJP ahead in 11 seats
The BJP was ahead in 11 seats and the Congress in seven constituencies in the initial rounds of counting of votes in Manipur.
According to early trends available from 26 constituencies, the BJP was leading in 11 seats and the Congress in seven .The Janata Dal (United) was ahead in three seats and the National People’s Party in two constituencies.
As per the official figure of the Election Commission, the BJP was ahead in six seats, the Congress in one and the JD(U) in two.
BJP leads in 3 seats
Early trend in Manipur shows the ruling BJP leading in 3 constituencies including. Heirok and Thangmeiband. JP leading in 3, NPP in 1, Janata Dal(United) in .
Counting begins
Counting of votes for 60 Assembly constituencies began in Manipur. The headquarters of various parties including the BJP and the Congress in Imphal remained relatively quiet.
The counting, underway in 12 dedicated centres across the northeastern state, will decide the electoral fate of 265 candidates, including nominees of the BJP, Congress, National People’s Party and Janata Dal (United). “The counting process started at 8 am with the calculation of postal ballots, to be followed by votes polled in EVMs from 8.30 am in 41 counting halls notified for the purpose,” an election official said.
BJP bullish on forming government in Manipur
The Bharatiya Janata Party in Manipur is bullish on forming the government after the results of the 60 Assembly seats are declared on Thursday.
Principal opponent Congress and ally-turned-rival National People’s Party (NPP) are also confident of springing a surprise with the two political parties and Janata Dal(United) reportedly holding informal talks for a coalition if the verdict is split.
(With inputs from Rahul Karmakar)
