Independent candidates emerged as the biggest surprise in parts of Unakoti district as voters rejected major political parties in Darchoi and BJP failed to win a single seat in both Darchoi and Hirachhara ADC villages.
Key Takeaways
- Independent candidates won five of seven seats in Darchoi ADC Village under Kumarghat block.
- BJP failed to win a single seat in Darchoi and Hirachhara ADC villages under Kailashahar.
- Congress won six of nine seats in Hirachhara, while Tipra Motha took the remaining three.
The ADC Village Committee election results have produced an unusual political picture in Unakoti district. The ruling BJP failed to open its account in the Kailashahar Assembly constituency, the district headquarters. At the same time, independent candidates secured control of Darchoi ADC Village under Kumarghat block by winning five of its seven seats.
The results have created a fresh political talking point in the district. They have also highlighted voter dissatisfaction with established political parties in some rural pockets.
Independents Capture Darchei ADC Village
Darchoi ADC Village delivered the most striking result. Independent candidates won five of the seven seats.
Candidates from the BJP, Tipra Motha and CPI(M) also contested the seven seats. Yet voters chose independent candidates in five constituencies.
The five winners were Lal Sanpuia Rukhum, Kennedy Darlong, Jokebebi Darlong, Nunpari Darlong and Suyampui Darlong.
The elected candidates belong to the younger generation. All five are below 40 years of age. Three of them are women. All five are also highly educated, according to the information provided by the candidates.
Their victory allowed independent candidates to take control of the entire Darchoi ADC Village.
Development Concerns Shape Voter Choice
The independent candidates linked their victory to local dissatisfaction over development.
Speaking at a press conference at the independent candidates’ office in Darchoi village, elected independent member Lal Sanpuia Darlong said the area had not witnessed development work for the past eight years.
He also claimed that villagers had not seen significant government work in the area during this period.
According to the independent candidates, this dissatisfaction influenced the voting pattern. Villagers, they said, decided not to rely on the BJP or other political parties. Instead, they supported independent candidates.
The independents said they would stand with anyone who comes forward to undertake development work in Darchei ADC Village.
The candidates contested the election with the auto-rickshaw symbol.
BJP Draws a Blank in Kailashahar
The BJP’s poor performance extended beyond Darchei.
Hirachhara ADC Village, the only ADC Village under the 53-Kailashahar Assembly constituency, also delivered a setback to the ruling party.
The nine-seat Hirachhara ADC Village Committee saw Congress candidates win six seats. The victory allowed Congress to take control of the village committee.
Tipra Motha candidates won the remaining three seats.
The BJP failed to win even one seat.
The result stands out because Kailashahar remains the political stronghold of veteran leader and MLA Birajit Sinha. Despite the Congress party’s overall performance in the ADC Village elections, Sinha retained his influence in his Assembly constituency.
Internal BJP Rift Under Focus
The BJP’s performance in Kailashahar has triggered questions about the party’s organisational position in the constituency.
Political opponents have attributed the poor result to factionalism within the BJP and a lack of effective leadership. They alleged that internal group rivalry has weakened the party organisation over time.
The BJP’s failure to win a seat in both Darchei and Hirachhara has therefore emerged as a significant development in Unakoti district politics.
At the same time, the strong performance of independent candidates in Darchoi has added another dimension to the results. Five young independents, including three women, managed to defeat candidates fielded by major political parties.
The outcome suggests that local development concerns and dissatisfaction with established political forces played an important role in shaping voter choices in these ADC villages.
