Elections to the first Legislative Assembly in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in independent India were held in February 1978. All in all, 86 candidates from various political parties were in fray, contesting in a total of 30 Assembly constituencies, out of which 2 assembly seats were reserved for Scheduled Tribes candidates. The Janata Party won with a majority, bagging 17 out of the 30 Assembly constituencies, and formed the government. The People’s Party of Arunachal, in comparison, won only eight Assembly seats while the independents won five seats. K. A. A. Raja, who was nominated as the Lieutenant Governor of Arunachal Pradesh in 1975, continued in the prestigious post, before he was replaced by R. N. Haldipur, who remained the Lieutenant Governor till the end of the term. Prem Khandu Thungan of the Janata Party was elected the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh during this term. Other ministers in the Janata Party-led Arunachal Pradesh government were Gegong Apang, Soben Tyang, Tadar Tang and Nokme, including Sibo Kai, who was the only woman minister in this Assembly.
A number of significant economic and social developments were brought about in this period under the rule of Thungan. Some of the most important legislations passed in the Arunachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha during this period were:
- Contingency Union Territory Arunachal Pradesh Determination Act
- Arunachal Pradesh Anchal Forest Reserve Act
- Water Pollution Control Cess Act
List of Successful Candidates in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election in 1978
A.C No. | Assembly Constituency Name | Type of A.C. | Winner Candidates Name | Gender | Party | Votes | Runner-UP | Gender | Party | Votes |
1 | Tawang I | GEN | Karma Wangchu | M | IND | 2313 | Tashi Lama | M | JNP | 1236 |
2 | Tawang II | GEN | Tashi Khandu | M | IND | 1874 | Tsering Tashi | M | JNP | 1636 |
3 | Dirang Kalaktang | GEN | Prem Khandu Thungon | M | JNP | | Uncontested | M | | |
4 | Bomdila | GEN | Rinchin Kharu | M | JNP | 2734 | Dorjee Tsering | M | IND | 986 |
5 | Seppa | GEN | Donglo Sonam | M | JNP | 4232 | Nyari Welli | F | PPA | 1649 |
6 | Chayangtajo | GEN | Kameng Dolo | M | JNP | 3396 | Tame Yangfo | M | PPA | 2509 |
7 | Koloriang | GEN | Chera Talo | M | JNP | 2221 | Lokam Tado | M | PPA | 1895 |
8 | Nyapin Palim | GEN | Tadar Tang | M | JNP | 3961 | Tadar Taniang | M | PPA | 999 |
9 | Doimukh Sagalee | GEN | Tara Sinda | M | JNP | 2149 | Khoda Tana | M | IND | 1520 |
10 | Ziro | GEN | Padi Yubbe | M | JNP | 4529 | Grati Takka | M | IND | 2014 |
11 | Raga Tali | GEN | Nido Techi | M | JNP | 3539 | Baotamo | M | PPA | 2896 |
12 | Daporijo | GEN | Tadak Dulom | M | JNP | 4981 | Tabom Nguba | M | PPA | 3480 |
13 | Toksing Taliha | GEN | Tara Payeng | M | PPA | 1908 | Pakda Mayeng | M | IND | 1776 |
14 | Mechuka | GEN | Tadik Chije | M | IND | 1903 | Tapik Rinya | M | PPA | 1119 |
15 | Along North | GEN | Lijum Ronya | M | PPA | 3394 | Talong Taggu | M | IND | 1868 |
16 | Along South | GEN | Boken Ette | M | IND | 1972 | Tumpak Ete | M | JNP | 1504 |
17 | Basar | GEN | Tomo Riba | M | PPA | 4109 | Tadak Basar | M | JNP | 2747 |
18 | Palin | (ST) | Sutem Tasung | M | PPA | 4857 | Tarung Pabia | M | JNP | 1906 |
19 | Yingkiong Pangin | GEN | Gegong Apang | M | JNP | 4435 | Tagang Taki | M | IND | 2825 |
20 | Mariyang Mebo | GEN | Onyok Rome | M | PPA | 3717 | Kabang Borang | M | IND | 1587 |
21 | Koloriang | (ST) | Tade Tachc | M | IND | 1048 | Mukut Mithi | M | JNP | 330 |
22 | Roing | GEN | Aken Lego | M | PPA | 2102 | Gora Partin | M | JNP | 930 |
23 | Nomsai Chowkham | GEN | Chow Tewa Mien | M | JNP | 4542 | Chau Khouk Manpoong | M | PPA | 3036 |
24 | Tezu Hayuliang | GEN | Sobeng Tayeng | M | JNP | 4761 | Yiasing Minin | M | PPA | 1853 |
25 | Noadehing Nampong | GEN | Jungpum Jugli | M | PPA | 1209 | Samchom Ngemu | M | IND | 962 |
26 | Changlang | GEN | Tengam | M | JNP | 2194 | Nongcho | M | PPA | 1643 |
27 | Khonsa South | GEN | Sijen Kongkang | M | PPA | 2035 | Wangpha Lowang | M | JNP | 1826 |
28 | Khonsa North | GEN | Nokmey Namati | M | JNP | 1866 | Wanglat Lowangcha | M | PPA | 1401 |
29 | Niausa Kanubari | GEN | Noksong Boham | M | JNP | | Uncontested | M | | |
30 | Pongchao Wakka | GEN | Wnagnam Wangshu | M | JNP | 1344 | Aching | M | IND | 910 |
List of Participating Political Parties in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election in 1978
S.No | Party Abbreviation | Party |
National Parties |
1 | INC | Indian National Congress |
2 | JNP | Janata Party |
State Parties |
3 | PPA | People's Party of Arunachal |
Independents |
4 | IND | Independent |
Last Updated on April 23, 2020