New Delhi: 10 MLAs of the BJP, including Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his Deputy Chowna Mein, won unopposed out of the 60 seats in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
The other nominees who won unopposed include Ratu Techi from Sagalee, Jikke Tako from Tali, Nyato Dukam from Taliha, Mutchu Mithi from Roing, Hage Appa from Ziro Hapoli, Techi Kaso from Itanagar, Dongru Siongju from Bomdila, and Dasanglu Pul from Hayuliang.
Wednesday was the last date for filing of nomination. BJP has fielded its candidates for all 60 Assembly constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh. The assembly polls in the northeast state will be held in the first phase on April 19. Congress is contesting 34 seats.
In Mukto assembly constituency, Chief Minister Pema Khandu faced no opposition, while Techi Rotu, a first-time contender and retired engineer from the BJP, emerged as the sole nominee for the Sagalee assembly constituency.
In Tali, Jikke Tako of the BJP secured his second term uncontested, while Nyato Dukam, also from the BJP, stood unopposed in Taliha, Upper Subansiri. Additionally, Roing MLA Mutchu Mithi, who recently aligned with the BJP, clinched victory without facing any challengers.
It is to be noted that the BJP secured 41 seats in the last state elections in 2019. Subsequently, seven MLAs from various other parties, including the Janata Dal-United, joined the saffron party.
In 2019, the BJP formed its first elected government in Arunachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Khandu initially formed a BJP-led government in 2016 after defecting from the Congress to the People's Party of Arunachal, later merging with the BJP.
Notably, two National People’s Party (NPP) members and three Congress MLAs have crossed over to the BJP camp recently.