The Arunachal Times - Archives

Hectic campaigning as deadline come calling

ITANAGAR, Oct 10: Political parties have beefed up their electioneering as the Election Commission has put a ban on canvassing 48 hours prior to election. The state goes to the poll on Oct 13.

A total of 7,50,160 voters (Number includes Tawang district which has already sent three candidates unopposed) including 3,72,430 female will cast their votes to elect sixty members from 154 in the fray.

Do not believe in false propaganda: Khandu

ROING: The Congress leaders including Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today addressed a mammoth gathering here and appealed the voters to support INC and vote for Pomaya Mithi, Congress candidate for the 43rd Roing Assembly Constituency.

Khandu in his brief speech categorically denied sponsoring AITC, NCP, PPA and BJP candidates and urged the people not to believe in false propaganda. Clarifying wrong report of sponsoring candidates in the state, he also made a fervent appeal not to believe in rumour of sponsoring the AITC candidate at Roing

“I am from the Congress and will always support my official candidate Pomaya Mithi”, he said.

Khandu also appealed the people to exercise their franchise honestly in order to consolidate the Congress party in forming the government for radical development of Roing and the state as a whole.

Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanswami spelt out the policy and programmes of the Congress government for the next five years. He briefed the development packages that the Congress government has announced for the speedy development of Arunachal.

The Congress is working for women emancipation, Narayanswami said and indicated that women may also get preference in ministry in the state.

Coming down heavily on AITC candidate Leata Umbrey, Mukut Mithi squarely blamed Umbrey for heralding unfounded, baseless allegations. “Whatever allegation made against me is baseless, fabricated, concocted and an attempt to get political mileage”. The MP also revealed that whatsoever development took place at the township in a short time was because of PM package under Congress government. He assured the public to continue the peace and development of the township if voted to power.

Clarifying the logic behind fielding his wife, Mithi said that it is the Congress party at the district and the Congress workers who projected Mrs Mithi for the overall development and larger interest of Roing citizens.

Besides, L Falerio, senior leader & former CM Goa, Union Minister of State for Water Resource Vincent Pala and MP Ninong Ering were others who was attended the rally, reports our correspondent.

Sangma spreads his charm to Manigaon

Continuing his whirlwind tour of state NCP star campaigner and former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A Sangma, along with other party leaders reached Monigaon which fall under 33-Mechuka assembly constituency today amid rousing reception accorded by enthusiastic crowd.

Addressing the mammoth gathering Sangma appealed the people to support NCP and elect its candidate Tsering Naksang.

Sangma said that there are enormous scope for development particularly in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, rural development, fishery, animal husbandry in this area and hoped Naksang’s victory will help accelerate development in various sectors with central fund.

Earlier yesterday P.A. Sangma, Union MoS for Rural Development Agatha Sangma and NCP state unit president L.Wanglat addressed rallies at Deomali, Bordumsa, Lekhang and Chwokham and appealed to the voters to cast their vote in favour of the NCP candidates of the region.

Meanwhile, State unit of NCP has expressed surprise over the comment made against the party by V.Narayansamy, General Secretary AICC during media interaction. NCP is an ally of UPA Govt at the Centre, NCP state unit said and appealed him not to make unreasonable allegations.

NCP also appealed the state election officials to rush in additional number of CRPF jawans to Pashigat town in view of the recent election related violence. The party requested district administration and police officials to strictly maintain law and order situation in the area.

Here we come

ITANAGAR, Oct 10: Legislative Elections 2009 will go down in history of the state for many reasons. Apart from sending three representatives elected unopposed, this election is also witness to political parties like All India Trinamool Congress and Nationalist Congress Party announcing its arrival in a big way, at least in number of candidates it has put up.

The number is disappointing but a record nine women are in the fray adding one more chapter in political history of the state. These women could prove that parties does not really matter.

Most of them had sought the Congress ticket. However they could not break into the Congress Party which is a male bastion. The denial of ticket by Congress however did not stop these women from contesting. Many of them have chosen AITC and NCP.

One of the strongest contenders among all the nine, Kenyir Ringu is contesting from Nari-Koyu constituency against sitting minister and veteran politician Tako Dabi. She switched to NCP after being with the Congress for more than two decades. A founding member of Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society which has been instrumental in ensuring 33% reservation in PRIs and elimination of child marriage, she later became a member of State Commission for Women. Ringu resigned from her post to contest the elections.

Infrastructure development, health, education and transparency in governance are priorities for her constituency which is one of the least developed in the East Siang district. One of the most keenly fought elections in the history of the constituency, anti incumbency factor could work in Ringu’s favour.

Trinamool Congress nominee Dakter Basar resigned as a teacher to join active politics. She is contesting against Congress’s Gojen Gadi, one of the richest politicians in the state from Basar Constituency. Once represented by the legendary Tomo Riba, the constituency has an unpredictable voting trend. Access to health, education and road connectivity are on Basar’s agenda.

For Karya Bagang contesting from Chayangtajo constituency on a Trinammol Ticket against veteran Politician Kameng Dolo electoral politics is not something new. She had stint as a ZPM and played a path breaking role in formation of Federation of Elected Women Representatives of Arunachal Pradesh (FEWRAP).

Another former Panchayat leader in the same party is Yai Mara from Likabali who is in a triangular contest. During her time as founder member of FEWRAP, Mara along with Bagang had constantly asked for devolution of power and functions for the PR Institutions in the state.

Jitbo Aboh of NCP is trying her luck from Khonsa West in a multi cornered contest. In district, where insurgents have a say in the electoral battle, her decision has come as a ray of hope for many ordinary citizens.

Duter Padu, a former government employee is contesting against Gadam Ete of Congress in Along West constituency. Anti incumbency factor could very work in favour of Padu. But Aalo east and west has a reputation as constituencies where money speaks loudest.

In Lohit Nang Sati Mein is contesting from Namsai constituency. Apart from being grassroots worker, she has a long association with social work. Interestingly she was one of the Congress ticket seekers.

Congress insider says that she was denied the Congress ticket because the Party did not wanted to promote one more political dynasty! Her husband is a minister in the Congress government.

Yari Dulom, the powerful President of Women’s Wing of Congress contesting from Dapaorijo is one of the two women fielded by Congress. A former minister, she lost the last election but luck could smile on her this time, if she can fend off the hostilities from her own party men.

In Roing constituency Pomaya Mithi is facing a straight contest against Laeta Umbrey. Wife of widely respected former Chief Minister Mukut Mithi, she is a first timer in electoral politics. The battle is tough ahead for her as Umbrey is known as one of the performing MLAs. But the fact Roing is Mithi bastion could very well work in favour of her.

Don’t be alarmed if these women spring some surprises on Oct 22! No matter what the outcome or the circumstances that led them to embark on the electoral path, they have shown a whole generation that with little bit of courage, absolutely nothing is impossible. That includes breaking someone’s bastion!

Poll personnel make it to Damin-Parsi Parlo and Kronli

ITANAGAR, Oct 10: Kurung Kumey district administration has a reason to smile. With weather looking up, polling and security personnel for Damin and Parsi Parlo were airlifted from Koloriang. The poll parties would have already embarked on journey towards their respective stations.

Meanwhile DC cum DM Opak Gao has issued an order that all the Gaon Burahs and Head Gaon Burahs of the district shall function as Police Officers to ensure effective maintenance of law and order.

ANINI: The Indian Air Force, MI-17 today ferried polling teams to Kronli, one of the remotest areas of Dibang Valley District.

The IAF Chopper was pressed into services on the demand of district administration considering the shortage of vehicles and difficulties of the polling teams who otherwise had to trek the 78 km distance through rugged mountains, the official sources said.

Another polling team led by Presiding Officer, R T Khom was also Airlifted. They would undertake two days trek from Kronli to reach the last polling station of 41 Anini Assembly Constituency, which has only three voters.

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate, Tayor Jempen has declared Oct 11-12, 13 and 14 and also Oct 21-23, 24 as dry days in the Dibang Valley District.

15 Govt officials trained as micro-observers

TEZU: Altogether 15 Central Government officials were trained as Micro-Observer for 30 polling stations under 44 Tezu-Sunpura ( ST) Assembly constituency at Dy. Commissioners conference hall today.

The election observer R P Sisodia and District Election Officer Kaling Tayeng briefed the Micro-Observers in details about the role & responsibilities and do & don’ts. The Election Observer urged all Micro-Observers to discharge their duties with sincerity and dedication as they are also the eyes & ears of Election Commission of India. The Micro-Observers were also trained on handling of EVM on the occasion. (DIPROs)

BJP reacts to Cong remarks

ITANAGAR, Oct 10: The Bharatiya Janata Party Arunachal Pradesh strongly refuted the ‘cheap and fabricated wild allegations’ leveled by the AICC General Secretary-in-Charge, Arunachal Pradesh and Union Minister, V. Narayansamy in a section of media.

People of Arunachal Pradesh elected 2 BJP MPs (Lok Sabha) Kiren Rijiju and Tapir Gao only in 2004 Parliamentary election and the BJP did not have any MP from the state ever before. The Congress should not deviate from the facts and know even to face the truth as no longer people of Arunachal Pradesh could be easily be befooled, the BJP state unit said in a statement today.

The AICC General Secretary-in-Charge for Arunachal Pradesh should withdraw his statement having alleged that there was any BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh during the NDA rule.

The random violation of election model code of conduct, money and muscle power dominating this election is open before the people, the party. In Arunachal Pradesh political parties appear during election and disappear later but BJP stands for the people and at its best performed and functioned as a constructive opposition, the party said.

Cong denies NCP claims

ITANAGAR, Oct 10: Reacting to a news item regarding the joining of Congress ASMs namely, Bomnya Padu, Bamik Riba, Komni Nyodu, Moge Rime, Binjum Bam and Tayum Kakki, Karbom Koyu, Dugjum Rina and Momi Kadu to NCP in support of its official candidate Kenyir Ringu, Nari-Kayu block Congress president Ranya Doye said that these panchayat leaders did not join as reported.

He said that their joining NCP does not arise at all as they are all loyal Congress workers. He further said that NCP is frustrated as they are losing its ground in the constituency.

Stating that it may be handy works of some frustrated leaders of other party, Doye said defamation case is being filed against the defaulters who are responsible for forging the signatures of the ASMs to mislead and defame the party.

AoL prog

ITANAGAR, Oct 10: The Art of Living will organise a YES! (Youth Empowerment Seminar) programme for teenagers at its centre at H Sector in Itanagar from Oct 14 to 18.

The six-day course will be held from 3 pm every day.

YES! is an innovative and dynamic educational and life skills programme that provides teenagers the tools to achieve their ideal life with ease, creativity, energy.

BJP workers attack non-tribal voters

ITANAGAR, Oct 10: In a socking incident at 37-Pasighat West constituency, some no-tribal tea garden workers were attacked by the workers of BJP president, state unit Dr. Tangor Tapak.

Some of the tea garden workers were seriously injured. A source said that the incident happened in wee hours of today. A Congress worker said that the police is yet to act even after a complaint was lodged.

Congress worker further informed that this was the third time the tea garden workers had come under attack. The party while demanding action against BJP said that every registered voter should be allowed to exercise their right without fear and intimidation.