eight-bjp-mlas-win-unopposed-ahead-of-arunachal-pradesh-polls-as-rivals-withdraw-nominations

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has clinched victories in Arunachal Pradesh even before the commencement of the assembly elections, with eight of its candidates winning uncontested following the withdrawal of nominations and rejection of opponents.

 

The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, secured an uncontested win from the Mukto assembly constituency in Tawang.

 

Additionally, BJP candidates Er Hage Appa from Ziro, Mutchu Mithi from Roing, Er Ratu Techi from Sagalee, Techi Kaso from Itanagar, Jike Tako from Tali, and Nyato Dukam from Taliha emerged victorious without facing any opposition.

 

One notable triumph was that of Dasanglu Pul, affectionately known as the Iron Lady of Anjaw district, who secured victory without contest after her opponent, Bafutso Krong of the Congress party, withdrew his nomination. 

 

Dasanglu Pul, a BJP MLA from the Hayuliang assembly constituency, has been a prominent figure in Arunachal Pradesh politics since her election in 2016, succeeding her late husband, former CM Kalikho Pul.

 

Tana Hali Tara, the BJP candidate from the 14th Doimukh constituency stated the party's dominance in Arunachal Pradesh. 

 

Tara highlighted the overwhelming support for the BJP in the state. 

"The BJP has a huge support and the state and we are confident of securing a win the Assembly," he assured.

 

"With two BJP candidates winning uncontested out of three constituencies in Papum Pare district, we are confident that the BJP remains the preferred choice among voters," he added.

 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated candidates for all 60 Assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh, marking a significant development in the upcoming electoral landscape. 

 

In contrast, the opposition Congress has put forward candidates for 34 seats, while the National People’s Party has fielded candidates for 29 seats. 

 

Additionally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA) have nominated 17 and two candidates respectively for the impending assembly polls.

 

In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP secured a notable victory by winning 41 seats. Subsequently, seven MLAs from other parties joined the BJP, further solidifying its position.

 

Moreover, the BJP emerged victorious in both Lok Sabha seats during the 2019 elections.

 

Notably, the BJP formed its first elected government in Arunachal Pradesh in 2019, with Chief Minister Pema Khandu at the helm. 

 

Khandu initially assumed office in 2016 after defecting from the Congress, along with several MLAs, subsequently forming the People’s Party of Arunachal, which later aligned with the BJP.

 

An official revealed, “A total of 197 candidates have filed papers for the 60 assembly constituencies. Eight BJP nominees, including Chief Minister Pema Khandu, may secure uncontested victories as no other candidates filed nominations from their respective seats.” 

 

The Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, scheduled for April 19, have been announced by the Election Commission of India. 

 

The state election office has issued separate gazette notifications for holding elections to 60 assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha seats in the northeastern state.

 

The electoral timeline includes the last date for filing nomination papers on March 27, scrutiny of papers on March 28, and the last date for withdrawal of nominations on March 30. 

 

The present state assembly’s term is set to expire on June 2.

 

In addition to the assembly polls, fifteen candidates will compete for the two Lok Sabha seats in the northeastern state. Scrutiny of nomination papers for these seats will also take place on Thursday, with the deadline for withdrawal of candidature set for March 30. 

 

The counting of votes for the Assembly polls is scheduled for June 2, while the Lok Sabha election results will be declared on June 4.

 

Arunachal Pradesh boasts a total of 8,86,848 electors, including 4,49,050 female voters, 5,740 service voters, and five third-gender voters. 

 

The state comprises 2,226 polling booths, with 156 managed entirely by women, 49 by youth, and three specifically by persons with disabilities (PWDs). 

 

Moreover, 480 polling booths are situated in shadow areas, while 588 booths are identified as critical and 443 as vulnerable.