Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Mar 12: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Takam Sanjoy informed that the Indian National Congress (INC) would have a pre-poll alliance with the Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA) in the state.
Addressing reporters here at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan on Tuesday, Sanjoy said the Congress will “adjust” a seat or two with the PPA in the ensuing elections.
On whether the Congress would form an alliance with the Janta Dal (Secular), which is led by former chief minister Gegong Apang in the state, Sanjoy said talks are on with the JD(S) for the same.
He also invited all likeminded parties to join hands with the INC, and said, “We (INC) will give up a few seats for all likeminded parties that oppose the BJP, and try to win the elections together.”
He also informed that the candidates’ list will be out in a few days time.
“Candidates to the Lok Sabha election are expected to be announced first,” he added.
The names of potential candidates for both elections, he informed, will be sent to All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi, who will take the final decision on the candidature.
Further, Sanjoy appealed to the officers of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to adhere to the directives of the ECI, and to refrain from indulging in any unfair means to issue schemes, tenders, appointments, etc.
He welcomed the announcement by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and said that the simultaneous elections of the Lok Sabha and the assembly on 11 April will ensure that there is no scope for anyone to manipulate or to adopt corrupt means.
He also informed that the APCC has activated a vigilance committee soon after the election announcements to oversee functioning of various block, district and state-level departments to monitor the usage of unfair means, such as ‘backdate’ authorisation.
“The party has appointed workers and leaders of all districts to keep a watch on various functions of district level officers, particularly in dispersing money, sanction and appointment orders, etc. It has also appointed a committee to monitor the secretariat level, to keep a watch on NoC, tender, scheme, etc authorisations,” he said.
“We are going to monitor each and every chief account officer, director, commissioner, chief engineer, and the chief secretary with the help of a cluster-based voluntary vigilance committee.”
On how many female candidates the Congress would field, Sanjoy said the candidates’ applications will be sent to the AICC which will decide further on it.
Regarding the resignation of sitting Tali MLA Markio Tado from the INC, Sanjoy said “the party will field its candidate again in Tali and will win the election there.”
