ANALYSIS | BN's victory in the Nenggiri by-election contributed to the celebratory mood shown by party leaders and its delegates gathered at World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur yesterday for this year's Umno general assembly.

From the start, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's talk of the victory in Nenggiri was based on the seat's perceived significance in rekindling Umno's fighting spirit.

This year's general assembly saw more enthusiasm from delegates - unlike during the party's annual gatherings held after its fall from power in the 14th general election in 2018, and the even more crushing defeat in the 15th general election.

Nine by-elections were held after GE15 and the BN candidate in Nenggiri was the first to "flip" an incumbent elected representative, not only recapturing the Kelantan state seat but also defeating PAS' candidate with a larger majority.

Reflecting on the party's worst losses and...