Tag: Meghalaya

Coal mining to resume in Meghalaya after 9 years: CM

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Shillong: Coal mining is set to resume in Meghalaya after nine years, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Wednesday.
He said the Union Ministry of Coal has provided approval for mining lease to four license applicants that would lead to the commencement of scientific mining ensuring minimal environmental impact through sustainable and legally compliant extraction procedures.
“In a significant step towards initiating scientific coal mining, the Ministry of Coal had last month provided approval for mining lease to four applicants out of the 17 prospecting license applicants,” Sangma told PTI.

He said the mining will follow scientific procedures ensuring minimal environmental impact through sustainable and legally compliant extraction procedures.
According to the chief minister, as part of scientific mining, reclamation of coal mining areas and use of advanced technologies such as remote sensing, aerial surveys and 3D modelling would be prioritised and environmental impact would be mitigated significantly.
The National Green Tribunal had in April 2014 imposed a blanket ban on coal mining and transportation of coal in Meghalaya causing a massive blow to the revenue of the state.
As a result, the mining industry suffered a negative growth of (-) 59.36 per cent and the GSDP registered a negative growth of (-) 2.82 per cent, according to the chief minister.
In July 2019, the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance challenged the NGT order following which the Supreme Court upheld the rights of tribal people over the natural resources in their land including coal but upheld the ban on unscientific mining and transportation.

Despite the NGT ban, illegal mining and transportation continued in the state and several cases were filed in various courts including the High Court.
The chief minister in this year’s budget session of the Assembly told the House that around 1,900 criminal cases have been registered for illegal mining and transportation of coal – 1,701 cases for transportation illegally and 203 against illegal mining.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya High Court has ordered that no coal should be exported to Bangladesh without ascertaining the origin of the coal.
“No coal should be allowed to be exported from any place in the State of Meghalaya to Bangladesh without both the state authorities and the relevant LCS authorities being satisfied as to the origin of the mineral and retaining copies of the documents that may be produced by the intending exporter as to the origin of such material,” a division bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said in an order passed on Tuesday.
The bench while hearing a case has also directed Assam and the Gasuapara Land Custom Station (LCS) authorities to respond to the queries with regard to the huge quantity of coal exported by a company.
Assam authorities have to indicate whether it was possible for the company to purchase that huge quantity of coal from the open markets in Beltola area and whether it was the truth, the court said.
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#Coal #mining #resume #Meghalaya #years
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 3, 2023
Christian-majority Meghalaya celebrates Easter with religious fervour

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Shillong: Christian-majority Meghalaya celebrated Easter with religious fervour on Sunday.
The Roman Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church, Church of God and the Baptist Church, besides other Christian denominations, organised special programmes such as sunrise services, Easter Sunday sermons and choirs to mark the day.
Easter celebration marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, three days after Good Friday.

Greeting the people of the state on the occasion, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “May miracles always find us and may hope strengthens our faith. Wishing everyone a blessed Easter.”
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#Christianmajority #Meghalaya #celebrates #Easter #religious #fervour
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 9, 2023
Meghalaya gets its first electric train: Northeast Frontier Railway

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Guwahati: Meghalaya has got the electric train for the first time after the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has commissioned the 22.82 km track of Dudhnai-Mendipathar railway line, officials said on Friday.
Sabysaschi De, CPRO of NFR said that the Railways has achieved a milestone by commissioning Dudhnai-Mendipathar single-line section and Abhayapuri-Pancharatna 34.59 track km double-line section on Wednesday.
The Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE) has carried out the electrification works in these sections.
“Mendipathar is the only railway station in Meghalaya which is in operation since 2014. After commissioning of electric traction, trains hauled by electric locomotive will now be able to operate directly from Mendipathar in Meghalaya which will increase the average speed,” De said.
He further claimed that more passenger and freight carrying trains will be able to operate through these sections with full sectional speeds.
Punctuality will also increase in this section. Parcel and freight carrying trains hauled by electric locomotives from other states will be able to reach Meghalaya directly.
According to Railway officers, electrification will significantly improve the mobility of trains in the Northeast.
In addition to the reduction in pollution due to the shift from fossil fuel to electricity, the efficiency of the Railway system in the region will also improve.

“This would facilitate seamless traffic and also save time of the trains moving to and from northeastern states apart from savings in precious foreign exchange,” the officer added.
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#Meghalaya #electric #train #Northeast #Frontier #Railway
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 17, 2023
Meghalaya: In a new twist, Conrad Sangma gets support of UDP, PDF

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Shillong: In a big jolt to the Trinamool Congress and the Congress, which were looking for avenues for an alternate formation to keep Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP) out of power in Meghalaya, the United Democratic Party (UDP) — that emerged the second-largest, on Sunday extended its support to the NPP for the next government formation in the northeastern state.
Metbah Lyndoh, the president of UDP that bagged 11 seats to finish second behind the NPP (26), in a letter to Conrad Sangma mentioned: “Congratulations on your party’s performance, resulting in the resounding victory. In light of the people’s mandate, I on behalf of the parliamentary party of the United Democratic Party, do hereby extend support for government formation.”
The UDP was also an ally in the previous NPP-led government in Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, People’s Democratic Front (PDF), which was earlier holding talks with Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Sangma for an alternative formation, also joined the UDP to tender support to the NPP.
Following the fresh developments, the NPP now has the support of 45 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly in the state.
The election was held on February 27 while the result was announced on March 2.
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#Meghalaya #twist #Conrad #Sangma #support #UDP #PDF
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 5, 2023
PM Modi to attend swearing-in of new govts in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura

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Agartala/Kohima/Shillong: Prime Minister Narendra Modi would attend the swearing-in ceremony of new Chief Ministers and their ministers in Meghalaya and Nagaland on Tuesday and that of Tripura on Wednesday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda and a few Union ministers are likely to attend these events in three state capitals.
Official and BJP sources said that the swearing-in ceremony of the new Meghalaya Chief Minister and his council of ministers would be held in Shillong at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, while the swearing-in in Nagaland will take place in Kohima at 1.45 p.m.
The new Chief Minister and ministers of Tripura would be administered the oath by the Governor in Agartala on Wednesday.
Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader and caretaker Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the convenor of the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), would meet the Central BJP leaders in New Delhi on Sunday, ahead of the formation of new Nagaland government.
The ruling NDPP (25 seats), along with its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (12 seats) retained power in Nagaland for a second straight term by winning 37 seats together in the 60-member Assembly.
Rio, who on Friday was unanimously elected as the leader of the NDPP legislative party, submitted his resignation letter to Governor La Ganesan on Saturday.
In Meghalaya, National People’s Party (NPP) Chief Conrad K Sangma has reiterated that he has letters of support from 32 MLAs and claimed to have received an invitation from the Governor to form the next government. Sangma said that he has support of 32 MLAs, which is one more than the required number to form the government.

The NPP in the February 27 assembly polls secured 26 seats while the BJP, which got two seats, extended its support to the NPP led government. Sangma, Chief Minister since 2018, submitted to the Governor a letter of support with signatures of 32 MLAs — 26 NPP, two BJP, two legislators from Hill State People’s Democratic Party and two independents.
In Tripura, sources said that outgoing Chief Minister Manik Saha would hold the Chief Minister’s post once again.
A meeting of newly elected MLAs and leaders was held in Agartala on Sunday. BJP’s northeast in-charge Sambit Patra, Manik Saha, BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee, and Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik among others were present in the meeting.
In the February 16 Assembly polls, the BJP won 32 seats, one more than the magic figure of 31 in the 60-member Assembly while its ally Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura got one.
The tribal-based Tipra Motha Party, which contested 42 seats on its debut, emerged as the second-largest party securing 13 seats. The CPI-M won 11 seats while the Congress bagged three.
In the 2018 polls, the BJP had won 36 seats, and ally IPFT eight seats while the CPI-M had secured 16.
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#Modi #attend #swearingin #govts #Meghalaya #Nagaland #Tripura
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 5, 2023
Karnataka beats Meghalaya to win Santosh Trophy after 54 years in Riyadh

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Riyadh: Karnataka ended a 54-year-old title drought in the 76th National Football Championships for the Santosh Trophy when they defeated first-timers Meghalaya 3-2 in a well-fought final at the King Fahd International Stadium, here on Saturday.
The young Karnataka team comprising reserve players from Bengaluru FC and some talented players from clubs from the Bengaluru District Football Association’s Super Division League made history when it won the first Santosh Trophy final to be played on foreign soil.
Karnataka had last won their fourth title as Mysore way back in 1968-69 at Banglore and had since then reached the final only in 1974-75. They have finished runners-up on five occasions.
However, the team coached by Ravi Babu Raju exceeded all expectations and quelled a strong challenge by Meghalaya to claim a memorable victory and a historic title.
M Sunil Kumar (2nd min), Bekey Oram (19th min) and Robin Yadav (44th min) scored the goals for Karnataka while Brolington Warlarpih (7th min) and Sheen Stevenson (60th min) scored for Meghalaya in the game of two halves.
Karnataka played a tactically superior game and caught Meghalaya on the wrong foot off counterattacks. They dominated the midfield and though Meghalaya fought back well in the second half, their forwards missed some crucial chances as they fell short.
Karnataka took the lead in the second minute of a frantic first half when Sunil M’s shot went in off defender Bankhemi Mawlong’s leg after defender Robin Yadav set him up with a superb long throw.
But Meghalaya came back within a few minutes when they were awarded a penalty when forward Sheen Stevenson was brought down by defender Nikhil G with a body block as the Meghalaya star made a fine run into the box from the left side. Defender Brolington Warlarpih converted from the spot comfortably to make it 1-1.

Karnataka took control of the midfield and made some superb attacks as they took a 3-1 lead just before the breather.
Forward Jacob John Kaitooaren floated a ball into the far corner to M Sunil Kumar, who centred it and Bekey Oram tapped the high ball into the net past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 for Karnataka in the 19th minute.
Karnataka had a couple of more chances to add to their tally but their forwards either shot wide or were thwarted by the defenders. Meghalaya had one chance to reduce the margin but Donlad Diengdoh’s shot off a superb attack was deflected out by a defender.
Karnataka made it 3-1 when Robin Yadav planted a superb free-kick into the top left corner for his sixth goal (four freekicks, one penalty, one field goal) of the tournament. Robin, who is part of the Bengaluru FC reserves, thus became the third-highest scorer in the tournament behind joint leaders Naro Hari Shrestha of West Bengal and Nijo Gilbert of Kerala, who have nine goals each.
Just when it looked like Karnataka were cruising towards victory, Meghalaya reduced the margin when Sheen Stevenson struck in the 60th minute after Donlad Diengdoh played a dummy off a pass by Banskheml Mawlong to distract the defenders.
Meghalaya created a lot of pressure in the last half hour of the match in search of the equaliser but the Karnataka defense stood strong and thwarted them. They were also denied in second-half added time when an attempt by Ronaldkydo Lyngdoh went off the top of the crosspiece.
Rajat Paul Lyngdoh (Meghalaya) with 6 clean sheets in 12 matches was adjudged as the Best Goalkeeper of the Championship while Robin Yadav (Karnataka), who scored six goals in the tournament including one in the final, got the Player of the Championship award.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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#Karnataka #beats #Meghalaya #win #Santosh #Trophy #years #Riyadh
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 5, 2023
Meghalaya polls: NPP emerges single-largest party with 26 seats

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Shillong: The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya emerged as the single-largest party in the state on Thursday, clinching 26 seats out of the 59 constituencies that went to polls on February 27, the Election Commission said.
However, it fell short of gaining a majority in the 60-member assembly, even as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma sought the support of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in forming the new government.
The BJP, which had brought star campaigners, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief J P Nadda and Shah, managed to win only two seats.
The United Democratic Party (UDP), which was NPP’s ally in the Sangma government, emerged the second-largest party, winning 11 constituencies. It had won only six seats in the 2018 polls.
The Congress and the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC won five seats each.
The newly formed Voice of the People Party (VPP) won four seats, while the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), the People’s Democratic Front won two seats each. Two Independent candidates also emerged victorious.
Sangma won from the South Tura seat by a margin of 5,016 votes, while his deputy Prestone Tynsong won the Pynursla seat by 8,140 votes, the EC data showed.
“I thank the people of our state for having voted for our party. We are grateful to them. We are still short of the numbers and will decide on the way forward later,” the CM said.

His Assam counterpart said Nadda has advised the Meghalaya unit of the BJP to support the NPP when it forms the next government in the state.
“Sri @SangmaConrad , Chief Minister of Meghalaya, called @AmitShah ji, Hon’ble Home Minister, and sought his support and blessings in forming the new Government,” Sarma tweeted.
“Adaraniya Sri @JPNadda ji , the national president of the @BJP4India has advised the state unit of BJP, Meghalaya to support the National People’s Party in forming the next government in Meghalaya,” the Assam CM added.
NPP spokesperson Ampareen Lyngdoh said the ruling party will have to seek the support of others to return to power for the second consecutive term.
Tynsong, after his victory was announced, told PTI, “In Meghalaya politics, individual candidates matter more than the party. It is the nominees who win the elections, not the party.”
“We expected to cross the magic number on our own, but did not foresee such a divided mandate,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma of the TMC won the Songsak seat by a margin of 507 votes, but lost the Tikrikilla constituency to NPP’s J D Sangma by 5,313 votes, according to the EC data.
State Congress president and MP Vincent H Pala lost to NPP’s Santa Mary Shylla by 1,828 votes in the Sutnga Saipung seat. Cabinet ministers James P K Sangma, Brolding Nongsiej, Hameltson Dohling and Dasakhiatbha Lamare were among candidates who lost.
Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh won the Mairang constituency by 155 votes, while BJP’s Sanbor Shullai clinched the South Shillong seat by 11,609 votes.
Counting of votes began at 8 am amid tight security.
Polling in the Sohiong seat was adjourned due to the death of a candidate.
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#Meghalaya #polls #NPP #emerges #singlelargest #party #seats
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 2, 2023
Votes set to be counted in Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland

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New Delhi: Votes are set to be counted and results will be out on Thursday for Assembly polls in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland with the keenly-fought battle in the three northeastern states marking the first round of polls in an electorally-crucial year.
Meghalaya and Nagaland went for assembly polls on February 27 and voting was held in Tripura on February 16. The three states witnessed high voter turnout. The BJP, which has replaced Congress as the dominant party in the northeast, is optimistic of its prospects in the three states.
Apart from the three states, results will also be declared in the bypolls for Erode (East) seat in Tamil Nadu, Sagardighi in West Bengal, Ramgarh in Jharkhand where polling was held on February 27. Polling for Kasba Peth and Chinchwad in Maharashtra was held on February 26. Apart from the assembly polls, the bypolls have also evoked wide interest due to battle for supremacy between two factions of Shiv Sena.
Though the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction is not the contesting the bypolls, it has thrown its weight behind the Maha Vikas Agadhi candidates. The bypolls are the first since the Election Commission recognised the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the real Shiv Sena and allotted it party name and symbol. The bypoll to the Erode East assembly seat in Tamil Nadu is also significant for both the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK.The exit polls have predicted a clear victory of NDPP-BJP alliance in Nagaland, a clear edge to BJP in Tripura and a hung verdict in Meghalaya.
While Tripura saw 87.76 per cent polling, it was 85.90 per cent in Nagaland and 85.27 per cent in Meghalaya. Meghayala Chief Minister and National People’s Party leader Conrad Sangma met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday night. The parties were partners in the ruling coalition but fought the assembly polls separately.
BJP leader Rituraj Sinha expressed confidence of party’s performance in the three northeastern states. “People in North-East saw good work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our government will be elected in these states. Our vote share will increase,” Sinha said on Tuesday. The BJP had created a record in Tripura in 2018 election, ousting Left parties from their bastion and hopes to continue its winning run. Left parties and Congress joined hands in this election to give a tough fight to BJP.
Tipra Motha, a regional party led by Pradyot Debbarma, a member of Tripura’s erstwhile royal family, is also expected to make its presence felt.The BJP has allied with IPFT (Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura), its partner in the previous assembly polls. The BJP contested 55 seats of 60-member assembly in Tripura in Februart 27 election. The Left Front fielded candidates in 47 seats and Congress on 13. Tipra Motha fought 42 seats and Trinamool Congress put up candidates on 28 seats.
Chief Minister Manik Saha contested from Town Bardowali constituency and Union minister Pratima Bhowmik fought the polls as BJP candidate from Dhanpur.BJP leaders in their speeches talked about the development picking up pace in the border state and efforts of the “double-engine” government over the past five years. Tipra Motha has raised demand of Greater Tipraland. The counting of votes of 60 assembly constituencies in Tripura will be held in 21 counting locations across the state.

Meghalaya went to the polls for 59 of its 60 assembly seats. Polling for the Sohiong Assembly constituency was postponed following the demise of the state’s former Home minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate from the seat, HDR Lyngdoh.The National People’s Party (NPP) is leading the ruling alliance which also included the BJP. But the two parties have contested the poll separately. Trinamool Congress and regional parties such as the United Democratic Party and People’s Democratic Front have also sought to put up a strong fight and a split verdict could throw open various possibilities in the state.The BJP and Congress contested 59 seats while the NPP has put up nominees in 56 constituencies. Meghalaya holds significance for pan-India ambitions of Trinamool Congress and the party contested 57 seats.
CM Conrad K Sangma contested from South Tura constituency while Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Sangma is in the fray from Songsak and Tikrikilla.In Nagaland, the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) contested 40 seats while its ally BJP put up candidates 20 seats in the on the 60-member House.
Akuluto seat was won uncontested by BJP.Congress contested 23 seats in the state. The NDPP-BJP alliance in the state is led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.Naga People’s Front (NPF) leader Kuzholuzo Nienu has said that the party is open to post-poll arrangements.
Interestingly, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has fielded 16 candidates.The Election Commission has made adequate arrangements for counting of votes.While elections have been held in Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya, six more states will go for the assembly polls later this year before the Lok Sabha battle in 2024.
The outcome of the polls in three northeastern states is likely to have a bearing on the prospects of national parties in state polls later this year. BJP is hopeful of the outcome giving it momentum for the poll battles ahead.
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#Votes #set #counted #Tripura #Meghalaya #Nagaland
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 2, 2023
‘No hung Assembly in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland’, claims Assam CM

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Guwahati Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted on Tuesday that there won’t be any hung Assembly in Tripura, Nagaland or Meghalaya, contrary to what several exit polls have indicated.
Instead, the NDA will form governments with complete majority in all the three northeastern states, Sarma said while talking to mediapersons here.
The counting of votes for the three states which went to the polls this month will be taken up on Thursday.
No NDA (National Democratic Alliance) partner will form an alliance with either the Congress or the Trinamool Congress after the results are announced on Thursday, said Sarma, who is also the convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).
Hung legislatures are expected in Tripura and Meghalaya, according to a number of exit polls, with the NDA emerging as the dominant alliance.
However, most exit polls suggest that the BJP and its ally Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) are likely to win a second term in Nagaland.
When asked about the CM candidates for the three states, Sarma said that Tripura and Nagaland would maintain the status quo, putting an end to rumours that Tripura may undergo yet another change of leadership.
“While we are in a coalition government in Nagaland, Tripura will have a BJP Chief Minister,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya will be chosen after taking into account the number of seats BJP wins, he added.
The BJP did not form a pre-poll alliance with any of the parties in Meghalaya despite being the part of NPP-led government for the last five years.
In Nagaland and Meghalaya, the governments are currently led by the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the National People’s Party (NPP), respectively, while Tripura is at present governed by the BJP.
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#hung #Assembly #Tripura #Meghalaya #Nagaland #claims #Assam
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 28, 2023
Exit Polls: BJP to retain Tripura, Meghalaya sees four-cornered contest

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New Delhi: With voting for the assembly polls in Meghalaya and Nagaland ending on Monday amid tight security, all eyes are now on the results.
In Meghalaya, polling was held at 3,419 polling stations across 59 Assembly constituencies, while in Nagaland voting was held in 59 out of 60 Assembly constituencies.
The Matrize exit poll for Meghalaya predicted 21-26 seats for the NPP, 6-11 seats to the BJP, 8-13 to the TMC, 3-6 for the Congress and 10-19 for others.
In Meghalaya, it continued to be a four-cornered contest. In the last Assembly polls, although the Congress had emerged as the single largest party winning 21 seats, the Conrad Sangma-led National People’s Party, which had won 20 seats, had managed to form the government following an alliance with the BJP.
However, this time, with no pre-poll alliance in place, the Congress, BJP, NPP and TMC are looking to win a majority on their own.
In Nagaland, in 2018 the NDPP-BJP alliance had formed the government. The Naga People’s Front (NPF), which had emerged as the single largest party in the last Assembly polls, faces a tough time as many of its leaders have since quit to join the NDPP.
The Matrize exit poll predicts the BJP+NDPP will win 35-43 seats, the Congress will get 1-3 seats, the NPF might get 2-5, the NPP 1 and 6-11 for the others in Nagaland.
Tripura voted on February 16, recording nearly 88 per cent polling.

The India Today exit poll has predicted that the BJP will win 36-45 seats in the Tripura Assembly. The BJP-led alliance is likely to retain power, shows the India Today-Axis My India poll.
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#Exit #Polls #BJP #retain #Tripura #Meghalaya #sees #fourcornered #contest
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 27, 2023