The BJP-NDPP Alliance tally in eastern Nagaland districts have declined in the recently conducted assembly elections 2023.

There are 20 assembly seats in the eastern Nagaland districts of Mon, Noklak, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire and Shamator.

In the 2018 Assembly elections, BJP had won 4 seats and NDPP 6 seats as the alliance won 10 of the 20 seats in the eastern Naga districts. During the period, Naga People’s Front won 9 seats with the remaining one seat going to Nationalist People’s Party (NPP).

In the recently conducted general assembly elections of Nagaland, BJP contested in 8 seats while NDPP contested in 12 seats.

BJP could win in only 4 seats out of 8 contested. It was a setback of sorts as two of their sitting MLAs who were also cabinet ministers lost in the election.

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S. Pangnyu Phom who has been elected in Nagaland Legislative Assembly election in 2008, 2013 and 2018 from Longleng constituency was defeated by debutant A. Pongshi Phom. His colleague in the Cabinet V. Kashiho Sangtam lost to veteran politician C. Kipili Sangtam in 50 Seyochung-Sitimi Assembly Constituency under Kiphire district.

Compared to BJP who had won 4 out of 8 contested to equal its performance in 2018, its alliance partner NDPP could not do as well as their tally in the region dropped from six in 2018 to five in 2023.

Naga People’s Front which had won 9 seats in 2018, failed to register any victory this time around.

The details of winning candidates and second-best placed candidates are depicted in the table:

In the backdrop of the prolonged agitation demanding the creation of Frontier Nagaland, star campaigners of both BJP and NDPP including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and incumbent CM Neiphiu Rio had campaigned extensively in the region. The ruling alliance also made various commitments and assurances to the region during the course of the campaign.

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A startling fact is that 13 of the sitting MLAs from eastern Naga region lost their seats. They are Pohwang Konyak (44-Phomching A/C), Eshak Konyak (47-Aboi), EE Pangteang (48-Moka), Bongkhao Konyak (55-Tobu), BB Nganlang Phom (49-Tamlu), S. Pangnyu Phom (50-Longleng), H. Chuba Chang (51-Noksen), Muthingnyuba Sangtam (52 Longkhim Chare), Toyang Chang (53-Tuensang Sadar), Kashiho Sangtam (59-Seyochung Sitimi), T. Yangseo Sangtam (60-Pungro-Kiphire) and Khumo Khiamniungan (57-Thenoknyu).

Under the present alliance scenario, Longleng and Noklak district do not have any representation in the ruling alliance.