In a repeat of previous poll outcomes, the hilly Northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh is ‘set’ to witness seven candidates from ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Chief Minister Pema Khandu, getting elected ‘unopposed’ to the 11th Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh, ‘without a contest’.
After ‘complete’ scrutiny of nominations filed for all 60 Assembly Constituencies, including the ‘adjourned’ scrutiny of papers done for Itanagar and Daporijo seats today, altogether seven validly nominated BJP candidates were found to be opponent free, and they are likely to be declared elected unopposed on Saturday after the last date of withdrawal of candidature, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu said.
Besides Khandu, who is set to score poll victory from his traditional seat Mukto in Tawang, six other BJP nominees whose smooth ride is on cards include new entrants and technocrat-turned-politicians Techi Ratu from Sagalee and Hage Appa from Ziro-Hapoli, sitting MLAs Jikke Tako from Tali, Nyato Dukam from Taliha, Mutchu Mithi from Roing, and Techi Kaso from Itanagar constituency.
The Joint CEO, meanwhile, informed that post scrutiny of nomination papers, altogether 174 validly nominated candidates, including six uncontested nominees, remained in fray for the April 19 Assembly polls.
Against the Itanagar Assembly seat, Koyu said, nominations of MLA Techi Kaso and Techi Nhagu – both from BJP – were found valid after completion of scrutiny today and added that the latter had to withdraw for Kaso to get elected unopposed.
The validly nominated candidates include 62 from BJP (including two substitutes), 24 from Indian National Congress (INC), 16 from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), 24 from National People’s Party (NPP), 13 from People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), four from Arunachal Democratic Party (ADP), one each from LJSP and LJP, and 29 Independents.
Arunachal Pradesh is going to simultaneous polls on April 19 to elect a new 60-member Assembly and two Members of Parliament from the Arunachal West and East Lok Sabha seats.
For the Lok Sabha polls, 14 nominations were found to be valid for the two parliamentary seats in the state after scrutiny of papers on Thursday.
Eight candidates are in fray for the Arunachal West parliamentary constituency. They are sitting Minister and BJP nominee Kiren Rijiju, INC’s Nabam Tuki and Toko Sheetal of Gana Suraksha Party, and five Independents – Ruhi Tagung, Bimpak Siga, Tania June, Leki Norbu and Techi Rana.
For the Arunachal East parliamentary seat, six candidates including BJP’s Tapir Gao, INC’s Bosiram Siram, ADP’s Bandey Mili, and three Independents – Omak Nitik, Sotai Kri, and Tamat Gamoh remained in the fray after the papers of Independent nominee Techi Rana were rejected during scrutiny yesterday.
