BJP using money to influence election candidates: Arunachal Pradesh Congress chief

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Congress president Nabam Tuki has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state of enticing Congress candidates with money in a bid to secure victory in the upcoming assembly elections in the Northeast state.

Tuki alleged that several party candidates withdrew their nomination papers after being offered significant sums by the ruling party.

Initially, the Congress party had nominated candidates in 34 seats out of the total 60 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh, but now only 19 nominees remain, he stated.

Tuki, who himself is contesting as a Lok Sabha candidate from the Arunachal West parliamentary constituency, along with the party’s state vice president Bosiram Siram, who is contesting from the Arunachal East seat, voiced his concerns.

He claimed, “It is an open secret that the BJP candidates are using money to purchase our candidates.”

Addressing media persons after unveiling the Congress party’s manifesto for assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, Nabam Tuki, a six-time MLA from Sagalee constituency in Papum Pare district, expressed confidence in the Congress’s prospects, asserting, “Whatever ploy is being used by the BJP, the Congress will win in maximum seats.”

He further revealed that the Congress is open to forming alliances with any party that upholds secularism, although he refrained from disclosing specific party names.

Responding to queries about the BJP winning 10 assembly seats uncontested in Arunachal Pradesh and its potential impact on the Congress, Tuki highlighted that such occurrences were not new in the state, citing similar instances during the 2014 assembly elections when the Congress won 11 seats unopposed.

Tuki also speculated on the consequences of a national victory for the opposition INDIA bloc, suggesting an immediate change in the state government.

He asserted, “If Congress returns to power at the Centre, you will see that there will be no space to stand at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan as all the BJP MLAs will join Congress immediately.”