Congress all set for simple majority in Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections

Itanagar: Ruling Congress in Arunachal Pradesh is all set for a simple majority with the party winning 30 of the total 60 assembly seats, including 11 which it won uncontested and leading in 9 constituencies.

The People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) won three seats and is leading in two, followed by the BJP in three seats and an Independent in one constituency.

The result of Kanubari constituency would be countermanded and re-poll to be ordered as the winner, Newlai Tingkhatra, Minister of the Department of Tirap, Changlang and Longding (DoTCL), transport and cooperation had died on May 7 following cardiac arrest, election office sources said.

Tingkhatra won the seat in troubled Tirap district by 49 votes defeating his nearest rival Rongnai Maham of the BJP.

According to election office sources, deputy speaker Jomdey Kena won from Likabali seat defeating his nearest rival independent candidate Yai Mara by 552 votes.

New comer Dikto Yekar of Congress won from Daporijo constituency defeating his rival sitting MLA Tapen Siga of the BJP by a margin of 37 votes.

Other Congress winners include Kumsi Sidisow from Thrizino-Buragaon constituency who won by 5083 votes by defeating BJP nominee Gandhi Sakrinsow, first-timer Zingnu Namchoom won from Namsai defeating C P Namchoom of BJP by a margin of 4311 votes, Phosum Khimhun from Changlang South seat defeating his nearest rival John Jugli of NCP by 1994 votes.

RWD Minister Kumar Waii won from Bameng constituency defeating his nearest rival Vijay Sonam of BJP by 1859 votes while, sitting Congress MLA Karya Bagang won from Chayantajo seat defeating her nearest rival L K Tangfo of BJP by 415 votes.

Former chief minister Gegong Apang of BJP lost to Alo Libang of Congress in Tuting-Yingkiong seats by 364 votes.

Opposition BJP won three seats with party nominee Laisam Simai winning from Nampong constituency by defeating Agriculture Minister Setong Sena by a margin of 203 votes.

First-timer Kento Rina had won from Nari Koyu constituency defeating sitting Congress MLA and former Home Minister Tako Dabi by a margin of 389 votes.

BJP also won Meriyang-Geku seat and is leading in 5 seats.

The PPA had won three seats with its working president Nikh Kamin winning from Bordumsa-Diyun, the lone un-reserved seat in the state, defeating Singpho by a margin of 1,328 votes, while its candidate Tirong Aboh won from Khonsa West constituency by defeating Yumsum Matey, chairman department of Tirap, Changlang and Longding by a margin of 1908 votes.

The party also wrested the Khonsa East seat, which was a Congress bastion with party nominee Wanglam Sawin winning by 877 votes defeating his nearest rival T L Rajkumar of the BJP.

The Congress had fielded 49 candidates, while BJP contested in 42 seats followed by PPA (16), Naga Peoples' Front (11), NCP (9), Aam Admi Party in one seats and 16 independents.