Congress loses govt in Arunachal, uncertainty grips state


Itanagar, Sep 16 (PTI): The Congress today lost its government in Arunachal Pradesh when 43 of its MLAs led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu defected wholesale and merged with the People's Party of Arunachal, just two months after it had regained power.

Khandu, who had replaced Nabam Tuki following a dissident campaign in July, paraded 42 MLAs before Assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok, who accepted their joining the PPA, Assembly sources said.

The merger would be notified in the Assembly bulletin, formalising the political development that leaves Congress with governments only in Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram in the northeast.

The dramatic development in Arunachal Pradesh brought back memories of the famous 'aya ram, gaya ram' episode involving Bhajan Lal who was heading a Janata Party government in Haryana and defected lock, stock, and barrel with all the party MLAs to the Congress after Indira Gandhi came back to power in 1980.

Tuki was the only Congress MLA who did not join PPA, a constituent of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) which was formed on May 24 in Guwahati. Khandu on July 16 had become the chief minister after months of political turmoil that unseated Tuki, who himself was reinstated as chief minister by the apex court only two days before.

In a House of 60, the Congress had 44 MLAs with one seat falling vacant after former chief minister Kalikho Pul committed suicide on August 9, while the BJP has 11 members including two Independents.

The status of two Congress MLAs is yet to be decided as they put in their papers before the recent series of political developments that led to first Tuki government falling in January this year, imposition of President's rule and installation of the late Kalikho Pul government on February 19 for a short span.

Pul was forced to resign in July 13 following a Supreme Court judgement. On March 3 last, Pul along with 29 Congress MLAs joined the PPA. PPA CWC chairman Kameng Ringu termed the development as a "homecoming" after a short temporary self exile of the party.

Asked for the reasons behind the development, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that for a resource-starved state like Arunachal, it is necessary to be with a bigger party to get more development funds from the Centre.

However, Tuki, who was out of the station, could not be contacted for his comments.

The PPA had ruled the state for a brief period from March 3 to July 13 this year under late Pul. Earlier the PPA had formed the government in 1979 when Tomo Riba was the chief minister.

Riba, who took oath on September 18, 1979, ruled the state for 46 days before being deposed on November 3, the same year. Meanwhile, state BJP President Tapir Gao, while welcoming Khandu's move, stated that the decision should have been taken earlier.

"We are happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of a 'Congress-mukt Bharat' is becoming a reality now," Gao said.

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.

Asked about the possibility of PPA MLAs merging with the BJP, Gao said the party's door was open.

 

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Vincent Rodrigues., Frazer Town,Bangalore

    Sun, Sep 18 2016

    Better to have a stable government in the state.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • SMR, Karkala

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sir,BJP is currently ruling in India with full majority.It was in ruling during former PM Vajpayee.There are also part of government during Janatha ruling.

    Despite blaming Congress for the post,why BJP open new page and claim lost land through negotiation with neighbouring countries?

    Can someone with 53 inch chest dare to beat and reclaim lost land?

    Jai Hind

    DisAgree [2] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    Now only way left for Congis is to pray that Reihan or Miraya Wadra (uff.. Gandhi) grow up fast to take over Congi leadership!

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • michael noronha, mysore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    The MLAs of North East are prone to be power mongers from day one. Musical chair for CMs post is a chronic problem there. Ideology hardly matters. Their commitment is for Power. Democracy is a game of numbers.Operation Kamala misfired in Karnataka. Same fate awaits NDA/BJP at the Centre.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, Udupi

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    With the dirty politics of Bjp, India is likely to lose Kashmir to Pakistan and Arunachal to China.This is what will happen in the end.

    DisAgree [19] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    Praveen, Udupi

    Because of Congress, we lost part of Kashmir (POK, Gilgit, Baltistan) to PAKISTAN in 1948

    Because of Congress, we lost part of Ladakh (Aksai Chin) to China in 1962...

    During BJP, not even a single inch is lost to PAKISTAN or CHINA.... even though those 2 enemy countries tried a lot..

    DisAgree [7] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • suresh, UAE

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    Blame RSS issue will divert.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sujith Nayak, Kudla / AUH

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    @Suresh, uae.. you are correct... rite or wrong.. RSS ko target karna unki fitrat hein.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • ABD, LOS ANGELES

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    ANYMORE PAPPU SHOULD LEAVE OMLETTE OR PREPARE CHARMURI IN GOODU ANGADI STALL

    DisAgree [13] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    ABD, LOS ANGELES

    Agreed.

    In GOODU ANGADI, he can understand the difficulties of the people and work accordingly.

    Also he can start a BEAUTY PARLOUR for woman empowerment...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Albert, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Moral of the story: No one likes to stay in Scam amma's stinking house!

    DisAgree [11] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • vnayak, mangalore/switzerland

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    This looks like Operation Kamala 2.0.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    INC is now facing most severe leadership crisis since its inception.
    Providing stable and able leadership is crucial for survival of party, entity or company.
    Strong leader and hierarchy can alone take a party to new heights. If survival is intended, no party should ever ignore leadership issues.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    There is no leadership constraint in congress. Only issue is those leaders are not born to Nehru-Gandhi dynasty (nasty).....

    DisAgree [2] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    But other leaders are not able to lead the party either due to over dependence on dynasty leaders, resultant hurdle from dynasty or other leaders inability.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    I think PVN never dependent on Dynasty. He made sure Congress can rule without dynasty..

    If the leadership would have given to Pranab Mukherjee (instead of making him President, a dummy position), Congress would have got more than 44...

    They missed the opportunity of making Sharad Pawar earlier as their leader.

    AK Antony can become a leader now, But he is not born to Gandhi Family.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Report Abuse

  • Raj, Bangalore

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Where are those congress chamchas who said tight slap on central govt when SC gave orders to form govt 2 months back. Now who is slapped ?

    DisAgree [9] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • SKM, Mangalore

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Anything can happen in politics, this is the best example.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • John, Udupi

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Modiji and Amitji when they knew they cant do anything legally, went in a different way!. Anyhow, we have to suffer them another 2.5 years!!!

    DisAgree [26] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sandeep, Mang

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Sorry ur calculation is wrong. All chor ministers and their supporters have to suffer for next 7.5 years. By then India shall be free from chor party.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bharat, Udupi

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    Correction pls. Not 2.5 years. You LL have to wait at least 7.5 years.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    John, Udupi

    You have to suffer for ever because it is too late that Sonia Gandhi can give birth to a son with a leadership abilities like MODI

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sandeep, Mang

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Chor party supporters not able to digest the heat. Please let us know when to have free burnol distribution camp. We shall treat all for free. Burnol Bhagya.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alphonso Rodrigues, Udupi

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    RG has issued a statement from UP during his rally. 'I think the law makers saw the video 'Rahul with Jackie Shroff' and hence this development'.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed, Bajpe/Riyadh

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    HaHa..Only 1 of 45 Congress lawmakers remains in the party. So funny. Will Modi be blamed for this as well?

    DisAgree [5] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr.S.Kamath, Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Every disagreewal blamed BJP .Now 44/45 MLA s resigned from Congress .I wonder why Congress high command could not rescue them.If central govt coordination is required Congress central leaders would have tried to better their relations with central govt .Congress instead of setting their house in order choose a confrontanist attitude and the result we have all here to see.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    Dr.S.Kamath, Mumbai

    Congress leaders are in majority in Rajya Sabha. They can make the government to come to its knees to ensure the state they ruled get fair benefits.

    Instead, Congress is busy blocking good policies in Rajya Sabha in vain..

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Everyone wants to become Narendra Modi ...

    DisAgree [29] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • neeth, mangalore

    Sat, Sep 17 2016

    Obviously...Who want's to become Pappu?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gurudath, M'lore/Mumbai

    Fri, Sep 16 2016

    Interesting developments. I think this is good for Arunachal.

    DisAgree [15] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Congress loses govt in Arunachal, uncertainty grips state



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.