Regional parties in the northeastern states are anticipated to have significant power in the next Lok Sabha elections, as there will be 25 seats up for election. Although most states are ruled by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by the BJP, regional players still have a significant influence.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), holding sway in four northeastern states—Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur—finds itself in a strategic position with 14 Lok Sabha seats under its belt. However, the Congress, buoyed by its presence in Assam and Meghalaya, remains a formidable contender with four Lok Sabha seats to its name.
Regional parties, such as the All-India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in Assam, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party in Nagaland, the Mizo National Front in Mizoram, the National People’s Party in Meghalaya, the Naga People’s Front in Manipur, and the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha in Sikkim, each hold a single Lok Sabha seat, lending diversity to the political landscape.
The formation of the United Opposition Form (UOF) by the Congress, in collaboration with like-minded parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Trinamool Congress, Raijor Dal, Asom Jatiya Parishad, and Left parties, underscores the efforts to counter the BJP’s dominance in Assam. However, the failure to reach a consensus on seat-sharing reflects the challenges of coalition politics in the region.
In Assam, where the AIUDF’s presence remains significant, the party’s decision to field candidates in three Muslim-dominated Lok Sabha seats poses a challenge to the Congress, which had previously allied with the AIUDF in the state Assembly elections. The shifting alliances and subsequent realignments highlight the fluidity of political equations in the region.
Meanwhile, in Tripura, the alliance between the BJP and the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), erstwhile rivals, reshapes the electoral landscape.The BJP’s plan to replace incumbent MPs in Tripura demonstrates its determination to consolidate control in the region, as alliances are formed to strengthen its electoral prospects.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the BJP’s assurance of victory in both Lok Sabha seats receives a boost with the support of the National People’s Party (NPP), further solidifying its position in the state.
Mizoram presents a unique scenario, with the ruling Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) and the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) emerging as frontrunners for the lone Lok Sabha seat. Despite their lack of alignment with the BJP, the MNF’s membership in the NDA adds complexity to the electoral dynamics.
In Manipur, where ethnic violence has left a lasting impact, the electoral landscape remains uncertain, with the contest for the two Lok Sabha seats yet to unfold.
