16 Arunachal ministers, Parliamentary secretaries lose in assembly polls

ITANAGAR: Congress in Arunachal Pradesh though roped in with absolute majority to form the next government but it suffered a serious setback as 16 of the party's sitting ministers and Parliamentary secretaries lost the assembly polls.

Agriculture, Horticulture and Dairy Development Minister Setong Sena (Nampong) lost to his own personal assistant Laisam Simai by 203 votes, while Education Minister Bosiram (Pasighat East) Siram surrendered to BJP first timer Kaling Moyong by a slender margin of 50 votes.

While Siram was a Cabinet Minister for the last two terms, Sena remained minister for the last three consecutive terms.

Another big shot of the party who lost this election is former Home Minister and sitting MLA from Nari Koyu constituency Tako Dabi.

He was defeated by another first timer BJP nominee Kento Rina by a margin of 389 votes.

"My defeat was mainly due to anti-incumbency and the people did not want me to continue for several terms. I gracefully accept the mandate of the people," Dabi said.

A total of 12 parliamentary secretaries of the outgoing government also tasted defeat in the hands of BJP, Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) and independents as well.

Among the prominent include, Tsewang Dhondup (Art & Culture), R T Khunjuju (Hudropower), Padi Richo (Land management), Lokam Tassar (Tax & Excise), Nido Pavitra (Health), Takar Marde (deputy chairman of state planning board), Gadam Ete (Home), J K Panggeng (Law), Karikho Kri (PHED), C C Singpho (Finance), Tinghaap Taiju (WRD) and Yumsum Matey (Social Welfare).

Party's MLA Kamthok Lowang was also defeated from Khonsa East constituency by Wanglam Sawin of the PPA.

The most surprising result in this election was the defeat of PPA's Chief Ministerial candidate Laeta Umbrey from Roing constituency in Lower Dibang Valley district.

Umbrey was defeated by Muchu Mithi of Congress by a margin of 2185 votes.

Muchu, an entrepreneur, is the eldest son of Rajya Sabha MP and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Mukut Mithi.

From the opposition BJP, two sitting MLAs Tapen Siga (Daporijo) and Dr Tangor Tapak (Pasighat West) lost, while former chief minister Gegong Apang lost to Alo Libang of the Congress from Tuting-Yingkiong seat for the second time in a row.