One of the most prominent women right activists and senior Congress leader Jarjum Ete has left party after being denied ticket from the Arunachal west parliamentary constituency. She is expected to fight the election on Janata Dal (secular) ticket. Congress has fielded former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to take on BJP stalwart and Union MoS Home Kiren Rijiju. The move of Congress has baffled the voters and political analyst. Tuki is reportedly reluctant to contest in MP and is more interested to continue with the state politics. It is also believed that he made it clear to the party high command about his choice.
Considering this scenario, the Congress has scored self goal by denying party nomination to Jarjum Ete. She is committed to fight election and look all set to take on Rijiju. She would have made a strong candidate for the Congress. Jarjum commands strong support among young voters and for long was the face of Congress in social media. Infact support base of both Rijiju and Jarjum are almost same. Traditionally Galo community is the strongest support base of Kiren Rijiju and Jarjum belongs to the Galo tribe. Now with Jarjum deciding to contest from JD (S) and Congress putting up Tuki, the opposition votes will be divided. This will give massive advantage to the Rijiju. The strange decision of Congress to nominate a reluctant candidate and ignore a potentially winning candidate can cost them dear in days to come.