Northeast Desk, 3rd April: Nabam Tuki, the chief of the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), has accused the ruling BJP in the state of enticing Congress candidates with monetary offers to secure victory in the upcoming assembly elections.
Tuki alleged that several party candidates withdrew their nomination papers after being tempted with substantial sums by the ruling party. Initially fielding 34 candidates for the 60 assembly seats, the opposition party is now left with only 19 nominees, he claimed.
Speaking to reporters after releasing the party’s manifesto, Tuki, a six-time MLA from Sagalee constituency in Papum Pare district, expressed confidence in the Congress’s electoral prospects. He asserted that despite the BJP’s tactics, the Congress is poised to win in maximum seats where their candidates are contesting.
Regarding alliances with other parties, Tuki disclosed that the Congress is open to partnering with any party that upholds secularism. However, he refrained from divulging specific party names.
Responding to concerns about the BJP winning 10 seats uncontested, Tuki highlighted that such occurrences are not unprecedented in the state. He cited the Congress winning 11 seats unopposed during the 2014 assembly elections.
Tuki emphasized the potential impact of the national election outcome on the state government, asserting that if the opposition INDIA bloc secures victory nationally, the state government would undergo an immediate change.
Addressing questions about his political future in the event of electoral defeat, Tuki expressed confidence in his candidacy, citing his track record of service to the state. Former Lok Sabha MP and the party’s campaign chairman, Takam Sajoy, echoed Tuki’s sentiments, affirming that defeat in a democratic setup does not signify the end of a political career.
Sajoy asserted the resilience of the INDIA bloc and its ability to rebound, emphasizing the electorate’s capacity to respond to what he described as the BJP’s “autocratic rule.”