Arunachal Assembly Elections: Too many aspirants for BJP tickets?

The BJP is on a war footing to retain power in Arunachal Pradesh, as brisk politicking has already started for the ensuing Assembly Elections, predicted to be held as early as this April.

Absence of a strong political opponent has already made things easier for the BJP as the party is looking to increase its tally from 48 in 2018 to full 60 in this election.

But reports are doing rounds that the Saffron Party is seemingly facing a challenge within the party, as names of multiple ticket aspirants have emerged given every constituency.

However, the party leadership in the frontier state seems prepared to deal with any eventuality after the names of party candidates are formally announced.

Arunachal BJP vice-president Tarh Tarak in fact answered a query on how the party will be kept intact if any differences arise owing to ticket distribution.

Tarh Tarak said, “After the tickets are given, the party high command will decide as to how and where to engage the other ticket aspirants. There are lots of works within the party other than ticket seeking. Everyone has to look at strengthening the party, we have to ensure that we win 60 out of 60, we have to work for achieving this goal. For that we can engage them (aspirants who are not given tickets).”

Tarak added that party workers will definitely work together for whoever is chosen to contest the election.
“In Arunachal Pradesh everyone wants to join BJP, nobody can stop that. When the family expands there might be some issues but it (BJP) will remain as one family through understanding. As far as tickets are concerned it will be decided by the party high command. Whoever, the high command chooses, we will work to make them win,” Tarak mentioned.

The Arunachal BJP vice-president also attacked the Congress.

He said, Our main idea is for a Congress Mukt (Congress Free) Arunachal Pradesh as well as Congress Mukt India. Fortunately I have been chosen by the party high command as a Chairman (in Arunachal Pradesh) to lead the Congress Mukt campaign. So I am trying doing my best by going to the Congress strongholds like Mebo, Pasighat East, as well as those in other districts, we are able to merge the Congress workers in blocks there.

Today over 600-700 people have joined BJP and it is seen that most of them are from the Congress, there is no rejoining. At least 650 are from the Congress.”

Tarh Tarak also exuded confidence that the BJP will retain power under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and stated, “We are certain that the next government will be formed under the leadership of Pema Khandu, he is going to retain power. We are targetting all the 60 seats, this is a directive of the party hight command.”