BJP wins Rajya Sabha seats in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh unopposed
Synopsis
Without a single vote cast, the BJP has added two more Rajya Sabha members — one from Manipur, one from Arunachal Pradesh — both elected unopposed on the same day. The clean sweep reflects the party's near-unassailable assembly majorities in the Northeast and leaves the opposition with no legislative foothold to mount even a symbolic contest.
Key Takeaways
BJP secured Rajya Sabha seats in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh unopposed on 11 June 2025 .
Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi , state BJP President, was declared elected in Manipur , replacing Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba whose term ends 21 June .
Tai Tagak , former state BJP President, was declared elected in Arunachal Pradesh , replacing Nabam Rebia whose term ends 23 June .
The BJP holds 36 of 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly and 46 of 60 in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly.
All parties in Manipur's assembly — except the Congress — are allies of the ruling BJP.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, 11 June secured Rajya Sabha seats in both Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh without a contest, after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations passed with no rival candidates in either state. The unopposed victories further cement the party's legislative dominance across the Northeastern region.
Key Developments
In Manipur, state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi was formally declared elected by the Returning Officer-cum-Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. State Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, alongside several BJP legislators and party functionaries, was present at the declaration ceremony. No other candidate had filed nomination papers for the seat.
The election was necessitated by the impending end of the tenure of sitting BJP Rajya Sabha member Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, scheduled for 21 June.
In Arunachal Pradesh, former state BJP President Tai Tagak was declared elected by Returning Officer-cum-Legislative Assembly Secretary Tadar Meena. Tagak was the sole candidate for the seat vacated by incumbent MP Nabam Rebia, whose term concludes on 23 June.
Assembly Arithmetic Behind the Wins
The unopposed outcomes were a direct reflection of the BJP's commanding majority in both state assemblies. In the 60-member Manipur Assembly, the BJP holds 36 seats, followed by the National People's Party (NPP) with 6, the Naga People's Front (NPF) and the Indian National Congress with 5 each, the Kuki People's Alliance (KPA) with 2, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) with 1, and 3 Independents. Notably, all parties except the Congress are allies of the ruling BJP in Manipur.
In the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly, the BJP holds an overwhelming 46 seats. The People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) has 6 members, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has 3, while the Congress and the National People's Party (NPP) have 1 each, with 3 Independents rounding out the house.
What the Arunachal CM Said
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated Tagak on his election. In a Facebook post, Khandu described the development as 'a proud moment for Arunachal Pradesh' and said Tagak would 'represent the hopes, concerns, and aspirations of our people at the national level.' Khandu added: 'His vast experience in public life will undoubtedly strengthen Arunachal Pradesh's voice in Parliament.'
BJP's Growing Rajya Sabha Footprint in the Northeast
Tagak is widely credited with strengthening the BJP's organisational network across Arunachal Pradesh over several years. The back-to-back unopposed wins in two states on the same day underscore the party's near-total grip on legislative numbers in the region — a position that now translates directly into Upper House representation. With opposition parties unable to field candidates, the contests were settled before a single vote was cast.
Both new Rajya Sabha members are expected to assume office ahead of the expiry of their predecessors' terms later this month.
Point of View
No party could even field a candidate, which speaks to the BJP's suffocating legislative arithmetic in the Northeast. The region, once a patchwork of coalition vulnerabilities, has become one of the party's most reliable Upper House feeder zones. The more consequential question is whether this consolidation translates into policy attention for two states that continue to face significant developmental and, in Manipur's case, ongoing ethnic conflict challenges.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Rajya Sabha seats from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh in June 2025?
Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, the state BJP President, won the Rajya Sabha seat from Manipur, while former state BJP President Tai Tagak won from Arunachal Pradesh. Both were declared elected unopposed on 11 June 2025 after no rival candidates filed nominations.
Why were the Rajya Sabha elections in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh held?
The Manipur seat fell vacant due to the expiry of BJP MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba's term on 21 June, while the Arunachal Pradesh seat became available after incumbent MP Nabam Rebia's term ends on 23 June. Biennial Rajya Sabha elections are held to fill such vacancies.
How many seats does the BJP hold in the Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh assemblies?
The BJP holds 36 of 60 seats in the Manipur Legislative Assembly and 46 of 60 seats in the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. This commanding majority made the BJP's Rajya Sabha victories a near-certainty in both states.
What did Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu say about Tai Tagak's election?
Chief Minister Pema Khandu called it 'a proud moment for Arunachal Pradesh' in a Facebook post, saying Tagak would represent the hopes and aspirations of the state's people at the national level and that his experience would strengthen Arunachal Pradesh's voice in Parliament.
What does the BJP's unopposed win mean for its Rajya Sabha strength?
The back-to-back unopposed victories add two more BJP members to the Rajya Sabha, consolidating the party's Upper House representation from the Northeast. With no opposition candidate able to contest in either state, the wins reflect the BJP's dominant organisational and legislative position in the region.
