Congress Loses Arunachal Again: Chief Minister Khandu Jumps Ship, Leaving The Party With One MLA

Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu today (16 September) made a sensational exit from the Congress along with 42 legislators to join the regional People's Party of Arunachal – an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 

This en masse exodus leaves the Congress with only one member in the state assembly, Nabam Tuki, who was replaced as chief minister when the party tried to stem revolt in its ranks and selected Khandu as a compromise candidate. 

In the 60-member assembly, the Congress had 44 legislators and 11 members are from the BJP. Two independents, who supported the Congress have also joined the People's Party. 

Just about two months ago, a Supreme Court judgment ensured the return of the Tuki-led Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh. The judgement removed the government led by rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul which was sworn in, in February with the support of 18 dissident Congress MLAs and two independents, and 11 BJP MLAs who gave outside support. 

 Pul committed suicide last month after he was forced to resign in July following a Supreme Court judgement.

 "I have met the assembly speaker and informed him that we are merging the Congress with the People's Party of Arunachal or PPA," Mr Khandu said. 

Reacting to the new turmoil in Arunachal Pradesh Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the Congress tried to blame the BJP unnecessarily. 

 “If MLAs don't want to stay with the Congress then what can we do? The Supreme Court also reinstated the Congress government but ultimately the MLAs' decision is the final," he said.  

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