As a fresh political drama unfolded in Arunachal Pradesh after Chief Minister Pema Khandu was suspended from the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA) along with six other MLAs, his government on Friday claimed majority support and the BJP backed him. But the ruling party said there would be be a change in leadership.
The Khandu government claimed the support of 49 of the 60 MLAs, including 35 of the PPA, a day after he was suspended from his party.
Government spokesperson Bamang Felix claimed that 35 out of the 43 PPA MLAs have reposed faith in and allegiance to the leadership of Mr. Khandu.
“We have support of 49 MLAs, including 35 PPA, 12 BJP, along with one associate BJP member and one independent,” he claimed at a press conference here.
“Everything is going normally as usual and the Chief Minister is still enjoying absolute majority from the PPA, the BJP and independent MLAs,” Mr. Felix said in response to queries.
The PPA on midnight Thursday night temporarily suspended Mr. Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chhowna Mein and five other MLAs from the primary membership of the party for their alleged “anti-party activities“.
Stating that there was no question of change in leadership, Mr. Felix said, “We are looking at the legal aspects of the suspension of seven MLAs, including Mr. Khandu.”
“The PPA is not a single man party. Whatever decision was taken by party president Kahfa Bengia was his own. We are trying to sort out the differences among the party MLAs and our door is open for all,” the spokesman said.
Responding to a query on the BJP’s claim that the process is on for the PPA MLAs to join it, Mr. Felix said that since PPA is an alliance partner of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) government “no such question arises“.
The BJP, during the day, made it clear that it will support “only” the Khandu government and “will never” support any other chief minister.
Mr. Bengia on his part said that Takam Pario, PHED minister, is likely to be the next chief minister.
“The sudden decision of the PPA is not acceptable to us as they have never discussed with us. In the interest of development of the State and its people, the BJP cannot be a party to change of government every six months,” BJP legislature party leader Tamiyo Taga told a press conference.
Mr. Taga, who is also the Textile and Handicraft Minister, said the party had decided to support Mr. Khandu on the floor of the Assembly if the Governor issued directives for a floor test.
Mr. Khandu broke away from the Congress along with 42 lawmakers in September this year, managing a coup that suddenly left the party out of power in the State.
Arunachal has been battling political instability since December last year when Congress dissidents revolted against former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.
After a series of dramatic developments, which included a special session held at a hotel to vote out Mr. Tuki, Congress rebel Kalikho Pul became the Chief Minister in February with the help of 11 BJP lawmakers.
The Congress then moved the Supreme Court, which turned the clock back and restored Mr. Tuki’s government.
But Mr. Tuki was out within days as he did not enjoy a majority in the 60-member Assembly.
Pul, who insisted that he be reinstated as chief minister, was left alone in the last minute when lawmakers supposedly backing him shifted their loyalties to Mr. Khandu.
Pul committed suicide in August and a month later, Mr. Khandu walked out of the Congress with 42 lawmakers and joined the PPA.
