BJP Sweeps Arunachal Pradesh Local Body Elections with Dominant Majority

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday registered an overwhelming victory in the Arunachal Pradesh local body elections, securing a dominant majority across both Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad constituencies, as per the final results released by the State Election Commission (SEC).

Out of a total of 8,208 Gram Panchayat constituencies in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 6,085 seats, including 5,211 uncontested victories, according to reports received from the districts.

The Indian National Congress (INC) secured 216 seats, of which 111 were unopposed, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) bagged 396 seats, including 159 uncontested seats.

The National People's Party (NPP) bagged 160 seats, with 81 elected unopposed, and the regional People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) won 648 seats, including 386 unopposed.

The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) secured 27 seats, including 16 uncontested victories, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to win one seat. Independent candidates performed strongly by winning 627 seats, of which 280 were unopposed.

In addition, 47 Gram Panchayat seats were decided through a draw of lots after candidates secured an equal number of votes. Meanwhile, 45 Gram Panchayat constituencies remain vacant due to reasons such as absence of nominations, rejection of candidature, or countermanding of elections, the SEC said.

A notable feature of the elections was the high number of unopposed victories, with over 6,000 candidates elected uncontested, reflecting strong grassroots consensus in several rural areas.

In the Zilla Parishad elections, held for 245 seats, the BJP once again asserted its dominance by winning 170 seats, accounting for 69.39 per cent of the total constituencies.

The People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) emerged as the second-largest force with 28 seats (11.43%), followed by independent candidates who secured 23 seats (9.39%). The NCP won 11 seats (4.49%), INC secured 7 seats (2.86%), NPP won 5 seats (2.04%), while LJP managed one seat (0.41%). The AAP failed to open its account.

Out of the total Zilla Parishad seats, 60 candidates (including 59 from BJP and one from NPP) were elected unopposed, while 185 seats were decided through polling.

The landslide victory further consolidates the BJP's grip over grassroots governance in Arunachal Pradesh and is widely seen as a reflection of public confidence in the party's development agenda and leadership at both the state and central levels.

Political observers believe the results will strengthen the ruling party's organisational base ahead of future electoral contests.

In the civic body polls, the BJP reaffirmed its dominance by winning 14 of the 20 wards in the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC), including four uncontested seats. The Saffron party, however, lost the Pasighat Municipal Council to the resurgent regional outfit, PPA, which won five of the eight wards to secure a clear majority, dislodging the BJP from power. BJP managed to win two wards.

The elections were conducted peacefully across the state with adequate security arrangements, and voter participation was described by officials as satisfactory, particularly in remote and border districts.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed deep gratitude to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for the overwhelming mandate in the recently concluded local body elections, terming it a strong endorsement of the Bharatiya Janata Party's vision and governance.

The resounding support reflects the people's faith in the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his development-driven agenda, as well as the State Government's commitment to good governance, Khandu said in a social media post.

"From remote villages to urban wards, from the youth to our elders, this victory belongs to every Arunachalee who dreams of progress, dignity and opportunity," he said.

The Chief Minister added that the mandate would further energise the government to work harder, serve with humility and ensure inclusive development reaches the last mile without discrimination.

Assuring the people that the trust reposed in the BJP would be honoured, he reiterated the party's resolve to continue on the path of development and good governance.