BJP–NDA Sweeps Arunachal Local Body Polls, Reflecting Strong Public Mandate for Development: CM Pema Khandu

ITANAGAR, Dec 2025 : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party–led National Democratic Alliance’s emphatic performance in the recently concluded Panchayat and Municipal Corporation elections in Arunachal Pradesh is a clear reflection of the people’s unwavering faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Developed India” and a “Developed Arunachal.” Addressing the media after participating in victory celebrations at the BJP’s state headquarters in Itanagar, the Chief Minister said the mandate highlights the deep trust reposed by voters in the NDA’s governance, development agenda, and grassroots connect.

Khandu noted that while the BJP may have lost a few seats, those seats were won by NDA allies, ensuring that the formation of local bodies across the state would be smooth and well-coordinated. He asserted that the results reinforce the strength and unity of the NDA in Arunachal Pradesh and underline the people’s endorsement of stable and performance-driven governance.

Sharing details of the election outcome, the Chief Minister said the BJP had secured victory in more than 6,000 out of the total 8,208 Gram Panchayat Member (GPM) seats, with final results still being compiled. In the Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) category, the party won 170 of the 245 seats, including 44 seats where BJP candidates were elected unopposed. According to Khandu, these figures demonstrate the party’s robust grassroots presence and its strong organizational network at the village and district levels.

In the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 14 of the 20 seats. NDA allies, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), together secured five seats, while one seat was won by an independent candidate. The Chief Minister congratulated all newly elected ZPMs, corporators, councillors, and GPMs, urging them to work with dedication, transparency, and a people-centric approach.

Highlighting the state government’s governance framework, Khandu emphasized Arunachal Pradesh’s leadership in implementing the SPICE model—Sustainable, Participatory, Inclusive, Comprehensive, and Empowerment-based governance. He said the model has significantly strengthened grassroots institutions by ensuring timely devolution of funds and responsibilities. Under the SPICE framework, panchayats received ₹123 crore in 2022–23, ₹1,431 crore in 2023–24, ₹16,398 crore in 2024–25, and ₹22,374 crore in 2025–26.

The Chief Minister further announced that from January 10 next year, the state government, in collaboration with the Institute of Rural Management, Gujarat, will roll out structured training programmes for newly elected gram panchayat and zila parishad chairpersons. These programmes will focus on leadership development, planning, governance, and convergence of schemes,ch aimed at strengthening local self-governance and accelerating progress towards the goal of a developed India.

Earlier in the day, the BJP’s Arunachal Pradesh unit organized a grand victory celebration at the party headquarters in Itanagar to thank the electorate for the decisive mandate in the local body elections. The event was attended by State BJP President Kaling Moyong, Itanagar MLA Techi Kaso, State General Secretary Tadar Niglar, senior party functionaries, and newly elected corporators and representatives. Addressing party workers, Moyong expressed gratitude to voters for reaffirming their confidence in the BJP’s leadership and its development-oriented governance.

Moyong said that under the BJP’s third consecutive term led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a rare instance of “pro-incumbency,” reflecting public satisfaction with the government’s performance, transparency, and welfare-driven policies. He reiterated the party’s commitment to accountable, inclusive, and development-focused governance at all levels and assured that the NDA would continue to serve the people with dedication.

Meanwhile, the BJP also claimed a significant victory in Tirap district by winning seven out of the 10 Zilla Parishad seats. Independent candidates secured the remaining three seats. Elections were held for seven seats—Deomali, Soha, Lazu, Tutnu, Khonsa, Khela-Bunting, and Kapu—after three BJP candidates were elected unopposed. The BJP won the Deomali, Soha, Lazu, and Tutnu seats, while independents emerged victorious in Khonsa, Khela-Bunting, and Kapu.

According to official results, Yalik Lowang won the Deomali seat by 462 votes, Wanglem Thingnok secured the Soha seat by 469 votes, Najen Rangwang won the Lazu seat by 260 votes, and Nanhang Phuksa clinched the Tutnu seat with a margin of 720 votes. Independent candidates Necha Wangsu, Tumwang Lowang, and Wangli Rangyang won the Khonsa, Khela-Bunting, and Kapu seats, respectively. BJP candidates John KK Maite (Borduria), Chasom Hakhun (Dadam), and Lopong Wanghop (Bari-Basip) were elected unopposed.

The Tirap district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Leyi Bagra, commended polling officials and security forces, including the district police, 44 Assam Rifles, and 36 Battalion CRPF, for ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and incident-free election process.