A day after getting ticket, Arunachal Cong candidate Takam Pario joins BJP

Soon after joining BJP, Pario levelled serious allegations against the Congress leadership in the state and extended support to the BJP’s Palin candidate.

In a rather surprising turn of events ahead of the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Elections, Congress candidate for the Palin Assembly seat, Takam Pario gave up his candidature, resigned from the party and joined BJP. He has now extended his support to the BJP candidate from the seat – Balo Raja.

The Congress seems to have given a walkover to the BJP in the Palin seat.

Soon after joining BJP, Pario levelled serious allegations against the Congress leadership in the state.

He said, “In 2018-19, I was the CLP leader (in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly), then we tried a lot (to strengthen the party). But after 2019, the Congress leadership in our state have not been performing their duties, did not focus on the interests of the state. Than what is the use of me staying in the Congress? So, I decided it would be better to join the BJP and work for development.”

Pario lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu for playing a decisive role in terms of efficiency in governance and selfless service for the welfare of the nation.

Briefing newspersons, Takam Pario said, “I have come here (joined BJP) with my supporters to strengthen the hands of Narendra Modi at the Centre and Pema Khandu in the state, so to assist the BJP in the Palin constituency, I have joined the BJP.”

Asked if he had joined the BJP bowing to any kind of pressure, Pario said, “It is not always necessary to create a leader, but decisions have to be taken for the interest of development. I have not come under any kind of pressure. It is me who is giving the opportunity to bring more development and welfare in the Palin constituency.”

Pario’s response was also sought on why he accepted the Congress ticket a day before since he was going to join the BJP.

To this, the former Congress leader said, “The Congress by virtue has to give the ticket to me. If it is not given to me than who else will they give it to?”

Expressing solidarity with Balo Raja, the BJP’s candidate from the Palin constituency, Takam Pario mentioned, “Since our district (Kra Daadi) district is new, we have to work for speedy development. So today I am supporting him (Baalo Raja) for speedy development.”

Pario won the Palin seat in 2009 on a People’s Party of Arunachal ticket and in 2014 as a Congress candidate. He lost the seat to Raja in 2019 Assembly polls.

Takam Pario was elected unopposed from Palin constituency in the 2014 Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election.

On 30 December 2016, Pema Khandu was suspended from the primary membership of the People’s Party of Arunachal by the party president and Takam Pario was named as the next likely Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh replacing Pema Khandu.

Balo Raja is a 2-time MLA from the Palin seat. He had won the seat once in 2004 and after that in 2019.

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