BJP's Tapir Gao said it was a failed coup and Khandu had support of 33 of 43 PPA MLAs as fissures surfaced in the ruling alliance
As a politically tumultuous year in Arunachal Pradesh came to an end, the stage was set for another turmoil in the state assembly.
Amidst reports that the ruling People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) had announced that Takam Pario would take over as Chief Minister, the BJP ruled out any change in the top post saying Pema Khandu had the backing of a majority of MLAs.
Khandu's term seemed set to be cut short on Thursday night when his party suspended him, his deputy Chowna Mein and five other MLAs allegedly for anti-party activities. However, uncertainty continued on Friday as fissures within the PPA surfaced.
"It was a failed coup by the Takam Pario group. Khandu has the backing of 33 of the 43 MLAs in the 60-member assembly," BJP state president Tapir Gao told DNA. Besides, the BJP's 12 MLAs and two independents are also backing Khandu, taking the total to 47.
The BJP, which was an ally of the PPA, made it clear that it would support Khandu, and that there would be status quo in Arunachal Pradesh assembly.
Government spokeperson Bamang Felix said 35 of the 43 PPA MLAs have reposed faith in Khandu's leadership. "Everything is going normally as usual and the Chief Minister is still enjoying absolute majority," he said.
However, a section of PPA chose Pario, the richest MLA in the assembly, as its candidate to replace Khandu, who left the Congress in September and joined PPA. Party president Kahfa Bengia said Pario will be the next CM.
Bengia said the party will now go to any length to ensure that they are in power. "Khandu and some MLAs were plotting to become turncoats by joining the BJP by January 15. The next few days will be crucial; if Khandu's faction does something unconstitutional, we will take a legal recourse and revoke them from the party," Bengia said over the phone from Itanagar.
The PPA, the only regional party in the state, is an alliance partner in the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). The state has seen three different chief ministers in 2016.
The political turf war began when Congress dissidents revolted against Nabam Tuki when he was chief minister. Congress rebel Kalikho Pul became CM with the support of 11 BJP MLAs. The Congress moved Supreme Court which restored Tuki government, only to be in power for a short term as he did not have the majority. However, MLAs backed Khandu instead of Pul, who committed suicide following which his wife won the election as BJP candidate.
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