Congress: Arunachal govt ‘illegitimate child of BJP’

The Congress on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of “foul play” and committing a “fraud on democracy” after Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu alongwith 42 Congress MLAs quit the party and joined Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA).

The news report added that the only legislator who did not jump the ship is Nabam Tuki, who had earlier this year served as a chief minister when the Congress party was in a damage control mode to curb rebellion.

It remains to be seen whether the PPA will align with the BJP, which has 11 MLAs in the House.

Arunachal Pradesh has been wracked by political turmoil over the past nine months, starting with the fall of the Tuki government after 21 Congress lawmakers rebelled against the then chief minister, followed by the imposition of President’s Rule by the Centre.

Pul was forced to resign on July 13 following a Supreme Court judgement. He rubbished speculations that the BJP, which was allegedly instrumental in dislodging the Tuki government, had a hand in the latest political development.

PPA CWC chairman Kameng Ringu termed the development as a “homecoming” after a short temporary self exile of the party.

“They returned to the Congress last time mainly because of the Supreme Court order”.

“At this juncture, it will be wrong to presume that the PPA MLAs will merge with the BJP”.

Meanwhile, Kiren Rijiju, MoS Home, has denied any role of the BJP in the recent development of the frontier state. Not just this move by more than 2/3rd members of state escalates the number of NDA-ruling states, it also brings down Congress-ruling states from 7 to 6. Former chief minister Nabam Tuki and a few other MLAs continue to be with the Congress in the state. They have to wait in Delhi for 4-5 days to meet their own leaders.

While blaming the Congress high command for the mess in the party, Gao said party president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi should have taken care of this.