Assembly Election Results 2023: BJP State Chief's lose in Meghalaya, Tripura; Temjen Imna wins in Nagaland

Digital Desk: In the northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, two of the three BJP state presidents were defeated in assembly elections.

Whereas, Nagaland BJP president, Temjen Imma Along, was able to retain his seat. He is the party's emerging star in the northeast, with a big social media following. But he, too, triumphed against adversity.

The state BJP chief defeated Janata Dal (United) member J Lanu Longchar by a margin of 3,748 votes. Based on the Election Commission of India's current counting trends (ECI), he acquired 9,274 votes and garnered 62.5 per cent of the vote.

Temjen Imna Along, a Nagaland minister, took to Twitter to publish a tweet regarding the election results, which has a Bollywood twist. Temjem after victory posted on Twitter stating, “Haar ke jeetne waale ko… kehte hai! (The one who wins after losing is called..),” 

Temjen Imna Along was elected from the Nagaland constituency of Alongtaki. Once the counting began, the BJP-NDPP combination held a commanding advantage in the state. The minister, who is well-known on the internet for his eccentric and amusing Twitter tweets, made up ground after trailing by a few votes. 

Recently, Temjen through his humourous posts showing his love for food was liked by famous people, Along is known for his smart and amusing quips, which often go viral - one of these was on the perks of having "little eyes". 

In Tripura, despite a large majority for the saffron party, state unit chief and first-time candidate Rajib Bhattacharjee lost by 1,369 votes to former state Congress chief Gopal Chandra Roy in the Banamalipur assembly constituency. Former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb won this seat in the 2018 elections.

Other candidates won from Town Bardowali, Mohanpur, and Dhanpur, including chief minister Manik Saha, cabinet colleague Ratan Lal Nath, and union minister Pratima Bhoumik. However, deputy CM Jishnu Dev Varma was defeated by Tipra Motha's Subodh Deb Barma in the Charilam seat by a small margin of 858 votes. 

In Meghalaya, state unit president Ernest Mawrie, who caused a stir before the election by stating he ate beef, lost the West Shillong seat to the UDP's Paul Lyngdoh.

Mawrie stated last month that if the BJP came to power in Meghalaya, there would be no limitations on beef eating. He stated that Meghalaya is a Christian-majority state and that once in power, the BJP will increase security for the population. 

"I cannot comment on the resolution adopted by other states. We're in Meghalaya, where everyone eats beef and there are no rules. Sure, I eat beef as well. Meghalaya has no such prohibition. It is the people's way of life, and no one can change it. In India, there is no such rule. Some states have enacted legislation. We have a slaughterhouse in Meghalaya; everyone brings a cow or pig to the market. It may be a sanitary one. Thus, the people have a habit," he reportedly stated as quoted by the news agency ANI.