2 min readGuwahatiUpdated: Mar 14, 2024 08:53 AM IST
Several MLAs, who had jumped ship to the BJP, were among the 60 candidates BJP announced for the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections Wednesday. The state will go into Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP had won 41 seats, the JDU 7, the National People’s Party 5, the Congress 4, the People’s Party of Arunachal had won 1 and two Independents. However, over the years, MLAs from other parties joined the BJP. The Congress is left with just one MLA, former CM Nabam Tuki, the NPP has two and two Independents, while the remaining legislators have entered the saffron fold.
Among the turncoats who got BJP tickets are: Dongru Siongu (Bomdila), Kardo Nyogyor (Likabali), Talem Taboh (Rumgong), Ninong Ering (Pasighat West), Lombo Tayeng (Mebo), Mutchu Mithi (Roing), Chakat Taboh (Khonsa West) and Wanglin Lowangdon (Borduria Bogapani).
CM Pema Khandu will once contest from Mukto seat, which he has held since 2011, while Deputy CM Chowna Mein will seek a second consecutive term from Chowkham. However, state Home Minister Bamang Felix missed out on a ticket, which went to Tai Nikio, who had contested against Felix from Nyapin seat in 2019 on a Congress ticket. Earlier, it was announced the BJP has appointed Felix Chairman of Campaign Committee for 1-Arunachal Pradesh West parliamentary constituency and all Assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh West parliamentary seats for the polls.
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