Arunachal Pradesh gears up for Rajya Sabha election as nominations open
By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The process for electing Arunachal Pradesh's next Rajya Sabha representative has officially begun after the Election Commission issued the notification for the upcoming poll.
Election officials said candidates can submit their nomination papers until June 8. The scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for June 9, while June 11 has been set as the final date for withdrawal of candidature.
If more than one candidate remains in the fray, voting will take place on June 18, with the counting of votes to be carried out later the same day. The tenure of the state's current Rajya Sabha member, Nabam Rebia, will conclude on June 23.
The Election Commission has announced polls for 27 Rajya Sabha seats nationwide, including biennial elections for 24 seats spread across 10 states.
Political activity has intensified in Arunachal Pradesh, where several senior BJP leaders are competing for the party's nomination for the lone Upper House seat. Reports suggest that 14 aspirants have expressed interest in securing the ruling party's ticket.
Among the prominent contenders are Environment and Forest Minister Wangki Lowang, sitting Rajya Sabha MP Nabam Rebia, Pasighat West legislator Ninong Ering, former ministers Taba Tedir and Tage Taki, former state BJP president Tai Tagak and Tangor Tapak.
Party insiders indicated that the BJP leadership is yet to finalise its candidate. The decision is expected to be taken by the party's Parliamentary Board in the coming days.
Given the BJP's dominant position in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the party's nominee is widely viewed as the frontrunner for the seat.
The upcoming election has attracted significant attention within the state's political landscape, with multiple experienced leaders seeking an opportunity to represent Arunachal Pradesh in Parliament's Upper House.