Jagdamba Mall
Congress lost its Government in Arunachal Pradesh when 43 of its MLAs led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu defected wholesale on September 16 and merged with the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) just two months after it had gained power. The PPA is an ally of the BJP now.
Shri Khandu who had replaced Nabam Taki following a dissident campaign in July this year, paraded 42 MLAs before the Assembly Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok who accepted their joining the PPA. 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 Northeast.
Earlier, the people of Assam threw away the most corrupt Congress rule under Tarun Gogoi in May 2016 with thumping majority of 85 seats to the BJP alliance in the House of 120. This time, it is Arunachal Pradesh where Congress has been ditched. Next time, it may be Manipur where Congress under Ibobi Singh is expected to be wiped out and the BJP would come in March 2017 to rule this tiny state bordering Myanmar and close to Bangladesh. Manipur famous for its rich culture and unflinching devotion to the country is suffocating under corrupt Congress rule.
| Pema Khandu: An Astute Politician Pema Khandu (37) is the son of the late Dorji Khandu, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, who was killed in a chopper crash in 2011. His father was a Buddhist. So is Pema Khandu. Khandu, a graduate from Delhi’s Hindu College and had an early entry into governance after his father’s demise. And in five years – 2011 to 2016, he has emerged as the Chief Ministerial prospect after Supreme Court’s judgement on July 13 that changed the course of politics in Arunachal Pradesh. |
Next comes Nagaland, where Nagas are looking towards BJP with high hopes to deliver the good in forthcoming assembly election in early 2018. Slowly and gradually, Northeast will be freed from the yolk of Congress misrule. Sooner the better because Congress has become the embodiment of corruption and patron and promoter of anti-national forces in most strategically placed North East. Every passing day is heavily costing the country and anti–national forces are getting stronger and stronger in Congress ruled states. Rather, Congress leaders are allegedly aligning with hostile and subversive forces to prevent BJP from coming to power so that their throne is safe. It is apprehended that the Congress under Okram Ibobi Singh in Manipur will use the Manipur Rifles. So, also the terrorist organisations to hijack the election process and capture the election booths for retaining the power.
The dramatic development in Arunachal Pradesh bordering Tibet and China brought back memories of famous ‘Aaya Ram Gaya Ram’ episode involving Bhajanlal who was heading a Janata Party Government in Haryana and defected lock, stock and barrel with all party MLAs to the Congress after Indira Gandhi regained power in 1980. Nabam Tuki, a Christian by faith, was the only Congress MLA who did not join PPA, a constituent of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) formed by the BJP on May 24, 2016 at Guwahati immediately after coming to power in Assam to accommodate genuine regional parties. Himanta Bishwa Sarma is its convener.
Pema Khandu on July 16 became Chief Minister after months of political upheaval that dethroned Tuki who himself was reinstated as Chief Minister by the Supreme Court on July 13, only two days before. That was done to stem a rebellion in the Congress ranks. In a house of 60, Congress had until this development 47 MLAs with one seat falling vacant after former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul allegedly committed suicide on August 9 at his official residence by hanging himself in a ceiling fan, while 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 Govt falling in January this year, imposition of President’s Rule and installation of late Kalikho Pul Government on January 19 for a short span.
Earlier, the PPA had formed the Government in 1979 when Tomo Riba was the Chief Minister. Tomo Riba took the oath on September 18, 1979, ruled the state for 46 days before being deposed on November 3 the same year. State BJP president Tapir Gao, meanwhile stated that the decision should have been taken earlier. “We are happy that Prime Minister Modi’s dream of ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’ is becoming a reality now,” he said.
Kiran Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, who is from Arunachal Pradesh said BJP had no role in the latest political developments. “Congress MLAs including the Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of Arunachal Pradesh are angry with their central leadership. They have to wait in Delhi for 4-5 days each time to meet their leaders. This has eventually led to the MLAs joining a regional party,” Rijiju told reporters.
The role of outgoing Governor Shri Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa has received sharp reaction from the people of the state. People say he will go down in the history for overstepping his powers to the extent that he even directed Assembly Session to be held in a community hall. Now when he has lost the Governorship, Arunachal Pradesh is all set to get its 21st Governor in 29 years statehood. Many in Assam agree that until Arunachal episode, Rajkhowa had the reputation of a clean, disciplined IAS officer. During his numerous postings, he has faced a number of postings and transfers because he has always been honest with his work and has never succumbed to any pressure–either from his seniors or the ministers. n
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