The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the BJP on Sunday rallied behind Chief Minister Pema Khandu, rejecting speculation over his resignation and asserting that there is no question of a leadership change while a Supreme Court-directed CBI inquiry remains underway.
The party's response came a day after an Assam-based news portal reported that Khandu was likely to step down in view of the ongoing investigation, triggering widespread speculation on social media and digital platforms.
In April, the Supreme Court ordered a preliminary inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation into allegations that public works contracts worth around ₹1,270 crore were awarded between 2015 and 2025 to firms allegedly linked to members of the chief minister's family. The inquiry is currently in progress.
Addressing reporters at the party headquarters in Itanagar, state BJP president Kaling Moyong said the party would respect the judicial process and refrain from taking any decision until the investigation is completed.
“If the Supreme Court delivers a verdict against the chief minister, the party will take an appropriate decision. But not now, as the investigation is still going on,” Moyong said.
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Senior BJP leaders also dismissed reports suggesting internal divisions or discussions about a change in leadership, maintaining that the party remained united behind Khandu.
BJP general secretary Tadar Niglar said all 46 BJP legislators in the state continued to support the chief minister.
“All 46 party MLAs are under one umbrella and under one leadership. There is no division within the party,” Niglar said.
He also warned that disciplinary action would be taken against any BJP member found to be involved in spreading misinformation regarding the chief minister's alleged resignation.
Another BJP general secretary, Junty Singpho, expressed confidence in both the judiciary and Khandu, saying the party believed the truth would emerge through due process.
Meanwhile, the Itanagar district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha lodged a complaint with local police against the publication that carried the resignation report. The youth wing accused the outlet of spreading false and misleading information aimed at creating confusion and destabilising the political atmosphere in the state.
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