The BJP marched to a landslide victory, winning 19 out of 28 seats in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council elections, despite widespread protests against the state government over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
The Congress managed to secure two seats, followed by the AGP with one and the rest six by “BJP-backed” Independent candidates in the 12th elections of the council held on January 20.
The counting began at Don Bosco High School here from 8.30am on Tuesday and continued till 3.30am on Wednesday.
The elections saw 89.6 per cent (1,22,341) turnout for the council that has jurisdiction over Dima Hasao district of south Assam. The former chief executive member of the autonomous council, Debolal Gorlosa, told reporters that the council would be formed within the first week of February after consulting the Assam governor.
“Most of the winning Independent candidates are indirect supporters of the BJP. We will also take in the winning Independent candidates after consulting the Assam BJP,” said Gorlosa, who won from Dehangi constituency with 2,803 votes, surpassing Independent candidate Lokhyamoni Langthasahi by a margin of 2,367 votes.
On who would be next chief executive member, Gorlosa said the party high command was yet to take a decision. However, party insiders in Guwahati hinted that Gorlosa was a frontrunner for the post.
The Congress recorded the highest number of votes received from a single seat in the elections. Haflong candidate Daniel Langthasa won with a margin of 4,003 votes, defeating BJP candidate Jivraj Daulagupu by 820 votes. He also defeated AGP candidate, former MP and chief executive member Prakanta Warisa.
BJP’s Amendu Hojai, candidate for Harangajao, got 3,428 votes. He marked the highest margin of victory, defeating AGP candidate Muktangshu Hojai by 2,454 votes.
At Dauthuhaja constituency, BJP candidate Nipolal Hojai (BJP district president) defeated Congress candidate Nirmal Langthasa (the district president) by a margin of 328 votes (with 1206 votes). Independent candidate Somesh Khersa recorded the least number of votes acquired by a candidate with only one vote in his kitty.
