Setback for BJP in NE: 25 MLAs quit party over tickets for assembly polls
The NPP is expected to announce the final list of its candidates by Wednesday.
New Delhi: At least 25 BJP leaders have resigned across northeast in the last few days, leaving the party in dismay.
On Tuesday, at least 18 BJP legislators in Arunachal Pradesh, including party general secretary Jarpum Gambin, Home Minister Kumar Waii and Tourism Minister Jarkar Gamlin, and six legislators resigned after being denied tickets for the assembly polls.
The assembly polls will be held along with Lok Sabha elections in April.
Legislators now have joined Conrad Sangma's National Peoples party (NPP), a key BJP ally which has decided to go solo across northeast.
BJP legislators Thangwang Wangham, Tapuk Taku, Pani Taram, Pangka Bage, Wangling Lowandong and Kardo Nyigyor and ex-minister Tsering Jurmey have also resigned. Those who have resigned include ministers and some senior office bearers.
The party has been able to finalise only two pre-poll alliances, even many regional parties, including Conrad Sangma’s NPP and Sikkim’s SKM, have dumped the party for the national elections.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Kumar Waii has accused the BJP of practicing dynasty politics.
"If the BJP was right, we would not have resigned. The party's top leadership says for BJP, the country comes first, the party second and than the individual. But in reality, they practice the opposite. They attack the Congress on its dynasty politics but look at Arunachal pradesh, the Chief Minister's family have got three tickets," Wai added.
Tourism Minister Gamlin said he would not have resigned had the party informed him in advance that he would not be given a ticket to contest polls.
However, BJP leader Kiren Rijiju said that the decision on tickets was made by the central election committee.
The NPP is expected to announce the final list of its candidates by Wednesday.
The BJP has already declared a list 54 candidates for the assembly polls.