In the first set of elections in 2023, the Northeastern states of Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya will be going to polls in the months of February and March. Tripura voted yesterday and Nagaland and Meghayala are due to vote on 27th February. Election results for 60 constituencies of each Assembly are expected on 2nd March.
The political dynamics in the north east have changed markedly in the last few years. From the dominance of Congress rule, the political arch has shifted towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and regional parties. Demands for separate states, autonomous tribal areas, and better infrastructure and basic amenities still rule election talk across the region. This time around, the alliances which helped form governments in two of the three states in 2018 have gone for a toss. The year sets the stage for the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections – each election will be viewed in the shadow of the impending fight for the Parliament next year.