Arunachal Pradesh: BJP is confident despite Congress’ graft allegation

Arunachal Pradesh, which shares its border with China, Bhutan and Myanmar, will go for simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha polls on April 19, in which the fate of 133 candidates across 50 assembly constituencies will be decided. Although Arunachal has a 60-member assembly, the BJP candidates in 10 seats stand unopposed. The state has 2 LS seats. Bikash Singh reports:

Ruling BJP Ahead: The BJP seems to have an edge with 10 of its candidates unopposed. Arunachal Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein stands unopposed from Chowkham constituency and so does Chief Minister Pema Khandu from Mukto in Tawang. Dasanglu Pul, wife of former chief minister Kalikho Pul, stands unopposed from Hayuliang, after her sole opponent, Bafutso Krong of the Congress, withdrew. Six BJP candidates ––Pema Khandu in Mukto in Tawang; Techi Rotu in Sagalee in Papum Pare; Jikke Tako in Tali in Kra Daadi; Chowna Mein from Chowkham; Nyato Dukam from Taliha in Upper Subansiri district and Mutchu Mithi at Roing, Lower Dibang Valley district –– are unopposed, signalling their likely victory. The Congress had initially put up candidates in 34 seats. But, at the end of scrutiny, only 19 remained. Among the other parties in the fray are Meghalaya-based NPP (20 seats), NCP (14 seats), the People’s Party of Arunachal (11 seats), the Arunachal Democratic Party (4 seats), and the Lok Janashakti Party (1 seat). There are also 14 independent candidates in the fray.

Alliances: NPP is an ally of the NDA and is ruling Meghalaya with BJP’s support. BJP has supported two NPP candidates for the parliamentary seats in Meghalaya. NPP has extended support to two BJP candidates for the Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh. The BJP won 41 of the 60 seats in the 2019 assembly polls, and subsequently, seven MLAs of other parties, including the JD(U), joined the BJP. The BJP formed its first elected government in Arunachal Pradesh in 2019. Chief minister Khandu had already headed a BJP-led government in 2016 after he, along with several MLAs, had left the Congress for the People’s Party of Arunachal and then, joined the BJP. Recently, two NPP and three Congress MLAs joined BJP.

Issues At Hand
Development Plank: BJP is banking on the development factor by highlighting that under the BJP, Arunachal Pradesh has achieved new heights. Congress is alleging increased corruption, unemployment, and lack of development.

China Factor: China has been renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh which chief minister Khandu dismisses as “another gimmick” by the Chinese. China had released a fourth list of 30 new names of various places in Arunachal Pradesh amid Beijing’s stepped-up assertions in recent weeks to re-emphasise its claim over the Indian state. The Congress manifesto for parliamentary polls has accused the Modi government of causing the “biggest setback to Indian national security in decades” by losing land to China. The Congress manifesto has promised to “restore the status quo ante on our borders with China” and ensure that areas where both armies patrolled in the past were again accessible to Indian soldiers. “We will take the necessary steps to adjust our policy towards China until this is achieved,” read the document.

CASH, DRUGS SEIZED: Security forces have confiscated over Rs 5.48 crore in cash in the three weeks since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force. Officials said flying squads and the state surveillance teams deployed by the Election Commission seized over cash and other items, including liquor, drugs, expensive metals, and freebies, the cumulative value of which stood at over Rs 14.05 crore. Cash amounting to Rs 1 crore was seized from Longding district, Rs 22.20 lakh from Itanagar Capital Region, and another Rs 16.10 lakh from East Kameng district during vehicle-checking on Thursday night.