The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has said it wants to contest the Arunachal Pradesh state assembly polls and two Lok Sabha seats in the general elections next year. The party said it will field candidates in all 60 assembly constituencies in the state elections next year. While talking to reporters, AAP state unit general secretary Toko Nikam said the party was committed to providing free water, electricity, medical facilities up to Rs 10 lakh, and world-class education if they come to power in the northeastern state in 2024, as reported by news agency PTI.
He also said AAP will revoke the controversial Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA) of 2014 and the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1978 if the citizens elect them to power.
Earlier this year, protests erupted in the northeastern state after the state government booked 40 people under the APUAPA in connection with a 72-hour bandh call in the state capital.
Since then, multiple organisations have been demanding the state government to repeal the Act, which was enacted in 2014 by the Nabam Tuki-led Congress government in the state, reported PTI.
The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1978 says no person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means nor shall any persons abet any such conversion.
Speaking further, Nikam also asserted the party will resolve the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) fiasco within six months and abolish the Arunachal Pradesh State Service Selection Board to eradicate corrupt practices.
"AAP will also erect a 'Statue of Honesty' in honour of Gyamar Padang, the whistleblower in the APPSC paper leakage case," he said, as quoted by PTI. The paper leak incident came to light when Gyamar Padung, a candidate of the written examination for recruitment to the post of Assistant Engineer (Civil) conducted by the APPSC, filed a case with Itanagar police station.
Over 400 candidates appeared in the examination that was held on August 26 and 27 last year. After the incident, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the APPSC paper leak case on October 26 last year.
Meanwhile, Nikam also said the party will focus on constructing a world-class city road in the Capital Region, implementing a blanket ban on out-of-turn promotions in various departments, and ensuring all-weather road connectivity to district headquarters.
AAP will also set up a fully functioning Lokayukta in the state, provide world-class medical facilities at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), and regularise casual labourers and ALCs (Auxiliary Labour Corps) serving in various departments for the last 12 to 20 years and above among multiple other things.