Pema Khandu suspended, richest legislator Takam Pario likely to be new Arunachal Pradesh CM

Itanagar: The richest legislator in Arunachal Pradesh, Takam Pario is likely to be the next Chief Minister, ruling party sources said. In a fast-paced development, the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA) late last night suspended Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and five other party MLAs from the primary membership of the party temporarily with immediate effect for alleged anti-party activities. The five other MLAs are Jambey Tashi (Lumla), Passang Dorjee Sona (Mechuka), Chow Tewa Mein (Chowkham), Zingnu Namchom (Namsai) and Kamlung Mossang (Miao). PPA President Kahfa Bengia in an order stated that by virtue of the power vested in him by the Constitution of the party and the resolution adopted in the state executive committee meeting held on December 20, the MLAs are placed under suspension temporarily from the primary membership with immediate effect pending initiation of disciplinary proceedings. Bengia said prima facie he was satisfied with the proofs of their indulgence in gross “anti-party” activities. The order further stated that with the suspension, Khandu ceased to be the leader of the PPA Legislature Party. He directed the party MLAs and PPA functionaries not to attend any meeting called by Khandu and said that any members failing to comply with the order would have to face disciplinary action of the party. The PPA was expected to declare Pario as its leader in the assembly as also the Chief Minister, the sources said. Khandu became the Chief Minister in July after switching over to PPA from the Congress. The PPA is a constituent of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led-North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).