Newly appointed Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Wangki Lowang being escorted by Chief Minister Kalikho Pul to the chair at Itanagr. (Photo: PTI)
Arunachal Pradesh’s new chief minister Kalikho Pul Thursday won a vote of confidence with 40 MLAs present in the Assembly backing the motion he moved. The Congress’ 17 MLAs, including former CM Nabma Tuki and former Speaker Nabam Rebia, were absent. Four-time MLA Wangki Lowang from Namsang was elected Speaker.
Earlier, AICC general secretary V. Narayanasamy, in a letter to each Congress MLA in Arunachal, directed them not to attend the “illegally-called meeting”, and warned of “consequences”. This did not deter the Congress MLAs from moving the confidence motion. Mr Pul was backed by 27 Congress MLAs.
Leader of the Opposition Tamiyo Taga extended the BJP’s support to Mr Pul’s leadership.
