Race for Khandu’s successor begins

GUWAHATI: With the death of chief minister Dorjee Khandu , the race for his successor has gained momentum.
A source close to the CM said on Wednesday that several Congress leaders in Arunachal Pradesh have started lobbying for the chief minister’s post. ‘‘

I have been told by a senior All India Congress Committee (AICC)leader that if the MLAs cannot find a consensus candidate as the next chief minister, the party leadership will come up with its decision,’’ the source said on Wednesday, adding that “the AICC would want to hand over the reins to a leader who can ensure that the state’s interest is safe as it was with Khandu” .

Speculation is rife that Arunachal PCC chief and cabinet minister Nabam Tuki , a Khandu loyalist and close to the AICC leadership, could be the party’s choice for the post. Also close to the AICC is party MP from West Arunachal Takam Sanjay, home minister Tako Dabi and power and parliamentary affairs minister Jarbom Gamlin.

The frontier state, surrounded by Bhutan on west, China on north and northeast and Myanmar on east, has always been politically volatile. In 1999, Mukut Mithi revolted against then CM Gegong Apang and replaced the latter as the chief minister.

Four years later, Apang, who was in the opposition as an Arunachal Congress member, pulled out a coup and returned as CM. Later Apang rejoined Congress . In 2007, he was replaced by Khandu, who led the party to victory in 2009.

Three Union ministers — B K Handique, V Narayansami and Mukul Wasnik — have been camping in Itanagar since Sunday. Asked about the new CM, Handique said a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.

TRAGEDY IN THE SKY

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