Northeast States Prepare for Rajya Sabha Elections with Uncontested Winners

The Rajya Sabha elections in Northeast India are shaping up with three uncontested winners from Manipur, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. A. Sarda Devi, James Sangma, and Tai Tagak have secured their seats without opposition. However, Mizoram's election will be competitive, featuring Zothansangi Hmar, the first woman nominated from the state, against K. Laltluangkima. This article explores the implications of these elections and the political landscape in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 11, 2026, 21:14 IST

Overview of Rajya Sabha Elections in Northeast India

An aerial view of the Rajya Sabha. (Photo:X)

Guwahati, June 11: Three new representatives from the Northeast are set to join the upper house of Parliament following the nomination scrutiny on Thursday, resulting in unopposed victories in Manipur, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. Mizoram remains the only state in the region where a competitive election will occur on June 18.

In Manipur, A. Sarda Devi, the president of the BJP's state unit, was officially declared elected after receiving her election certificate from Returning Officer Rohit Sapam around 4:30 PM at the Legislative Assembly complex in Imphal.

Returning Officer Rohit Sapam presenting the certificate to Sarda Devi. (AT Photo)

As a seasoned member of the party's organizational structure and a prominent female leader, Sarda Devi expressed her intentions for her new role. "Upon entering Parliament, I will have the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister of India. My focus will be on the welfare of the people of Manipur," she stated to the media after her election.

In Meghalaya, the single Rajya Sabha seat was secured by James Sangma from the National People's Party, who is the official candidate of the ruling MDA-II government led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. He was declared elected by Returning Officer and Legislative Assembly Secretary Malthus Sangma on the last day for nomination withdrawals, as no other candidates contested.

File image of NPP's James Sangma. (Photo:@SangmaConrad/X)

This biennial election was prompted by the upcoming end of Dr. Wanweiroy Kharlukhi's term as the sitting member.

Arunachal Pradesh also saw a third uncontested winner, senior BJP leader Tai Tagak, who received his election certificate after no rival nominations passed scrutiny.

File image of senior BJP leader Tai Tagak. (Photo:@KirenRijiju/X)

Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated Tagak, emphasizing the significance of his mandate. "Having dedicated years to serving the state, he now bears the responsibility of representing our people's hopes and aspirations at the national level," Khandu remarked.

In contrast, Mizoram's situation is different. The state's only Rajya Sabha seat will be contested on June 18, with the main opposition party, the Mizo National Front, nominating lawyer and writer Zothansangi Hmar as its candidate on June 8. This nomination marks her as the first woman from Mizoram to be nominated for Parliament.

She will compete against K. Laltluangkima, the nominee from the ruling Zoram People's Movement, who submitted his nomination papers on June 5, making this the only competitive election in the region this cycle.

Upon accepting her nomination, Zothansangi expressed her commitment to serve "not only the MNF but also Mizo women and the people of Mizoram." However, the ruling ZPM, holding 27 seats in the 40-member Assembly, has a numerical advantage over the MNF's 10 seats, with the BJP and Congress holding two and one seats, respectively.

With inputs from various sources