In what was a pre-planned move, 43 Congress rebels who on Friday merged with Peoples Party of Arunachal on Sunday officially announced to be the part of North East Democratic Alliance.
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, after a meeting with the convenor of North East Democratic Alliance Himanta Biswa Sarma at Itanagar on Sunday, said that he would be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October. Mr Khandu also appointed 26 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries on Sunday.
Mr Khandu became the chief minister on July 16, replacing Nabam Tuki, who had replaced late Kalikho Pul after a Supreme Court verdict reinstated the Congress government in the state. Mr Pul and his 29 MLAs had, in fact, joined the PPA during his tenure that lasted from March 3 to July 13. The PPA was also a part of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance.
Though, the frontier state has plunged into frequent political crisis, the latest move of the Khandu government is said to have the influence of precarious financial condition of the state. Sources in the Khandu government said that his government has inherited a cumulative deficit of Rs 3,700 crore.
This was more apparent when deputy chief minister Chowna Mein said that the move was initiated to “build better relations with the Centre”. It is alleged that state was not getting its fund released from the Centre.
Mr Sarma announced Arunachal BJP has decided to extend their support to the Khandu government. Mr Khandu will also meet BJP president Amit Shah to convey their decision to be a part of NEDA.
