BJP wins lone RS seat in Manipur amid political turmoil, NPP secures Meghalaya

Elections for four Rajya Sabha (RS) seats spread across four states in Northeast India were carried along with other states in the other 20 seats today. The elections are being held for one seat each in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Manipur.

Despite the ongoing turmoil in Manipur and setback for it in the state Assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured the lone Rajya Sabha seat in the state. BJP candidate Leisemba Sanajaoba defeated Congress' T Mangi Babu.

Meanwhile, NPP another ally of BJP that broke up from the coalition in Manipur has won in Meghalaya. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma confirmed that National People's Party candidate WR Kharlukhi has won from the Meghalaya RS seat.

"Congratulations Dr WR Kharlukhi for being elected to the Rajya Sabha from Meghalaya. I thank all the MDA partners for bestowing their support to the National People’s Party," tweeted Sangma.

The lone BJP MLA in Mizoram did not vote in the elections for the single Rajya Sabha seat in which NDA ally MNF is locked in a triangular fight.

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) has fielded the party’s national core committee member K Kanlalvena, while the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the Congress nominated B Lalchhanzova and Lallianchhunga respectively. The Mizoram seat candidate will be retiring on July 18.

Also read: Rajya Sabha elections underway in 4 NE states, tough fight in Manipur

In the 40-member Mizoram Assembly, the MNF has 27 members, ZPM seven, Congress five and the BJP has one MLA.

It may be mentioned that voting for 18 seats were deferred due to the coronavirus pandemic. Later the Election Commission announced polls for four seats in Karnataka and one seat each in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Buddha Dhan Chakma abstained from voting because the saffron party did not have a candidate, according to state BJP president Vanlalhmuaka.

It is pertinent to mention that the NDA has currently 91 of the 245 Rajya Sabha seats while the UPA has 61 and the other opposition and the non-aligned parties together have 68 seats.

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