The Congress is poised to "return" to power in Arunachal Pradesh, but not without having had to cede a few vital seats to the BJP and dissident Independents.
Of the 43 seats for which results were declared after the first round of counting on Sunday, the Congress won 22 and the NCP, its ally, two. The BJP bagged a surprising six seats while the local Arunachal Congress -- the party Gegong Apang had floated but ditched later on -- won one seat. Independents won in 12 constituencies.
Having already won three seats uncontested, the Congress and its allies have 27 seats and need another four to have a simple majority in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh House. It should be a mere formality on Monday when the results for the remaining 14 seats will be announced.