Itanagar: In a significant political development, just ahead of the forthcoming assembly polls, four sitting MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh crossed over to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from their respective parties. The defections include two members from the opposition Congress and two from the National People’s Party (NPP), who formally joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The joining ceremony, held at the BJP’s office in Itanagar, saw Opposition Congress legislators Ninong Ering and Wangling Lowangdong, alongside NPP lawmakers Mutchu Mithi and Gokar Basar, officially becoming members of the ruling BJP. Notably, the NPP is a key ally of the BJP in Arunachal Pradesh.
The event witnessed the participation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Assam Minister Ashok Singhal, who serves as BJP’s election in-charge for Arunachal Pradesh, and state President Biyuram Wahge, highlighting the significance of the defections within the political landscape of the state.
The timing of these defections is crucial as Arunachal Pradesh gears up for elections to the 60-member Assembly, expected to coincide with the Lok Sabha polls scheduled for April or May.
With the inclusion of these four MLAs into its ranks, the BJP’s strength in the state assembly has surged to 56, when accounting for its allies. Meanwhile, the Congress finds itself diminished, with only two members, while two independent members remain in the House, underscoring a notable shift in the political dynamics of Arunachal Pradesh.