ITANAGAR, SEPTEMBER 18: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today appointed 26 MLAs as parliamentary secretary to assist in the smooth functioning of his government.
Khandu administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new parliamentary secretaries, including two women, in a simple function here in the presence of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) Convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma.
This is the first time that a large number of MLAs were appointed as parliamentary secretaries in the state.
Of the newly appointed parliamentary secretaries, six are former ministers -- Phosum Khimhum, Gojen Gadi, Jarkar Gamlin, Phurpa Tsering, Thangwang Wangham and Thirong Aboh.
The others are C T Mein, Punji Mara, Jambey Tashi, P D Sona, Bamang Felix, Likha Saaya, Markio Tado, Gum Tayeng, Karya Bagang, Tapuk Taku, Kumsi Sidisow, Nikh Kamin, Techi Kaso, Mutchu Mithi, Pani Taram, Tatung Jamoh, Mama Natung, Nyamar Karbak, Zingnu Namchoom and Dikto Yekar.
The portfolios of the parliamentary secretaries would be allocated soon.
The development came days after the Congress lost its government in Arunachal Pradesh to BJP-led front NEDA when 43 of its MLAs led by Chief Minister Khandu defected wholesale and merged with the People’s Party of Arunachal, just two months after it had regained power.
In a House of 60, the Congress had 44 MLAs with one seat falling vacant after former chief minister Kalikho Pul committed suicide on August 9, while the 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 the first Tuki government falling in January this year, imposition of President’s rule and installation of the late Kalikho Pul government on February 19 for a short span.
BJP to provide outside support
The BJP will support the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) government in Arunachal Pradesh from outside as of now and the decision on joining the government will be taken in near future, a senior leader said on Sunday.
“As of now, the BJP is going to support Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu-led PPA government from outside. However, the party leadership will take the decision whether the BJP will join the government or not,” said Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Sarma, who is the convener of the BJP-led anti-Congress alliance, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), was addressing a press conference in Itanagar, Arunchal Pradesh capital city.
The BJP has 11 legislators in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh assembly.
“The PPA is a constituent of NEDA and so, the government in Arunachal Pradesh will be known as NEDA government,” Sarma said.
He also hinted that the issue of the BJP joining the government in Arunachal Pradesh may be taken up for discussion at the forthcoming national executive of the party in Kerala later this week.
Sarma reiterated that the BJP has no role in the decision of the Congress legislators to merge with the PPA on Friday.
“The BJP or the NEDA came to know about this only after the merger took place. I got a call from Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday evening and informed this to my national (BJP) president Amit Shah,” Sarma said.
“PPA is already a member of the NEDA and Chief Minister Khandu also expressed his desire to be a member of the NEDA,” he added.
“NEDA was formed in May this year for the sake of development in the northeastern region. Now with a stable government in place in Arunachal Pradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, I hope the NEDA government will usher in a new dimension of development in Arunachal Pradesh,” he added.
Pema Khandu, who was also present in the press conference, said that the decision of the Congress legislators to merge with the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) was taken considering the demand of the people for a regional party-led government in the state.
“There has been a demand from the grassroots people for a regional party-led government in Arunachal Pradesh for the sake of development. The people here have seen the development works initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly in the region, and so we unanimously decided to merge with the PPA,” Khandu said.
