BJP gains momentum in Chakma stronghold Tuichawng

The BJP has established a lead in the ethnic minority Chakma stronghold of Tuichawng, which is also the only seat it has ever won previously. BJP candidate won from the seat in 2018, making it the saffron party’s first breakthrough in the CHristian majority state.

Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia loses in Tuichang

According to the Election Commission of India, Mizoram Deputy Chief Minister and MNF candidate from Tuichang seat, Tawnluia lost to ZPM candidate W Chhuanawma by 909 votes.

ZPM wins Aizawl West-11 assembly seat

ZPM candidate Lalnghinglova Hmar won from Aizawl West-II seat with a margin of 4819 seats. 

Everything is peaceful and under control: Aizawl DC Nazuk Kumar

Aizawl DC Nazuk Kumar told news agency PTI that everything is peaceful and that they have enough deployment. She added that they have three-tier security and everything is under control.

ZPM leading in key Aizawl and Lunglei seats

The Zoram People’s Movement is leading in all 9 Aizawl seats, including incumbent Chief Minister Zoramthanga’s Aizawl East-1 seat. Furthermore, the ZPM is also leading in two out of three Lunglei seats. Notably, Lunglei is the second largest town in the state. 

ZPM leads with 28 assembly seats, MNF trails behind with 8 seats

The Zoram People’s Movement is leading with 28 seats, the MNF gained 8 seats, BJP 3 and Congress 1

ZPM claims first victory in Tuichang

The Zoram People’s Movement secures its first victory in Tuichang, defeating incumbent MNF MLA

ZPM crosses halfway mark, MNF trails behind

As per the Election Commission of India, ZPM has crossed the halfway mark and is leading in 27 seats. Meanwhile, MNF gained 9 seats, BJP 3 and Congress 1

Tough battle between ruling MNF and ZPM

The ZPM party leads with 15 assembly seats, ruling MNF gains 12 seats, Congress 9 and BJP 2

ZPM leads with 19 seats, MNF 14, Congress 6

So far, the ruling MNF party in Mizoram gained 14 seats, ZPM leads with 19 seats, Congress 6 and BJP 1

Counting of votes is being held in 13 centres

Additional Chief Electoral Officer H Lianzela told news agency PTI that the counting is being carried out at 13 centres across the state. H Lianzela added that one counting hall has been set up for each of the 40 assembly seats at these 13 centres. 

Counting of votes for Mizoram Assembly election is underway

A visual from a counting centre in Serchhip.

#WATCH | Counting of votes for #MizoramElections2023 is underway. Visuals from a counting centre in Serchhip. pic.twitter.com/yaQzE5oqmj

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2023

ZPM edge past MNF in early trends

Counting of votes began in Mizoram. As per early trends, The Mizo National Front (MNF) has gained 9 seats, Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) 22, Congress 6, BJP 1. 

After the BJP’s sweeping victories in the assembly elections of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the victory is of a self-reliant India, honest, transparency and good governance. Hailing that this hat-trick of victories has given guarantee for a 2024 hat-trick, he said that voters do not believe talk in thin air, false promises and rather support a concrete roadmap for development and good governance.

Referring to the Congress demand for a caste census, PM Modi said that some people tried to divide the country on caste lines during the elections. He added that for him there are only four castes namely women, youth, farmers and poor whose empowerment can strengthen the country. He stated that the people from all castes, regions, communities voted for the party and that every poor person feels that he has won.

ELECTION 2023 COVERAGE: Madhya Pradesh | Rajasthan | Chhattisgarh | Telangana

Addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the women, mentioning that women believe only BJP can provide guarantee for their security, safety and dignity. He remarked that women empowerment is an important pillar of BJP’s model of development. He also assured the women that all the promises will be fulfilled. 

Referring to Congress’s defeat, Narendra Modi claimed that dissatisfaction among youth over paper leak and recruitment scam led to the ouster of the governments of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. He mentioned that be it in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Telangana, the incumbent party was thrown out of power because it was against the youth and had scams in its tenure. Especially thanking the people of Telangana, he said that the BJP will leave no stone unturned in working for them.

Modi underlined that the BJP government not only makes policies but also ensures that they reach the rightful beneficiaries. He further stated that these victories are a clear warning to those who are not ashamed to stand with the corrupt and try to cover up their deeds.

Slamming the opposition alliance INDIA, the Prime Minister asserted that coming together can yield good photo opportunities and media headlines but cannot win people’s trust. He also requested Congress and its allies to not indulge in politics that empower the anti-national forces.

By Neeraj Mishra

In one giant swoop, the BJP has cornered entire Western and Central India with its latest victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The party now controls the entire cow belt giving it the right platform for 2024.

While Rajasthan was iffy for the Congress, it was overconfident in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where a combination of weak and divided local leadership and women voters eventually brought it down. It has lost Madhya Pradesh 65-164 and Chhattisgarh 34-56.

ELECTION 2023 COVERAGE: Madhya Pradesh | Rajasthan | Chhattisgarh | Telangana

In many ways, these were elections driven by labarthis (beneficiaries) and the BJP proved itself with better planning, strategy and implementation. In Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched several schemes for women including cash incentives and even delivered two tranches of Rs 3000 each on Rakhi and Karwa Chauth to married women. 

In Chhattisgarh, where the BJP was in the opposition, it adopted a better strategy by promising Rs 12,000 per annum to married women and later getting them to sign some forms which made the signatories believe they would receive the promised benefit later. BJP workers got more than 30 lakh forms signed and in a state with more women voters than men, it surely means something.

In MP, an overconfident Congress made a mess of ticket distribution. Digvijaya Singh grabbed the largest share and brought in all his 90s cabinet. Eventually, they all lost. It is perhaps time to get rid of Digvijaya and Kamal Nath altogether just like Uma Bharti was ex-communicated from the state by the BJP in 2007 after Shivraj became CM. It paved way for the new. 

The loss in both states will hurt the party not only in the three states but its ramifications will be felt at national level with INDIA and other alliances.