[Nellie N Manpoong]
ITANAGAR, Mar 20: With the elections fast approaching, the political scenario in Arunachal Pradesh is witnessing a flurry of dizzying moves with several contenders hopping from one party to another in quick succession.
On Wednesday, the National People’s Party (NPP), the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) and the Janata Dal (United) released the names of their candidates for the legislative assembly seats.
The central executive committee of the NPP issued the names of 29 candidates for the assembly seats, which include most of those who had joined the party late Tuesday evening.
However, from among those who had joined the NPP on Tuesday, Likabali MLA Kardo Nyigyor, Borduria-Bogapani MLA Wangling Lowangdong, and former MLA Tani Loffa’s names did not figure in the list.
The PPA released the names of nine assembly candidates, along with the name of its candidate for the Arunachal West parliamentary constituency, Subu Kechi.
It is to be noted that Nyigyor has also joined the PPA and will contest for the Likabali seat.
Speaking to this daily, Nyigyor said he had been offered the NPP ticket on Tuesday but did not join the party as “it was extremely opposed to the government.”
He said he then joined the PPA “as it is a party that has always kept the best interests of the people of the state in mind and has supported governments that were willing to work for the welfare of the people.”
Nyigyor said he was shocked at the decision of the BJP to deny him a ticket, but that he was also confident of winning the Likabali seat.
This daily was unable to contact Lowangdong, Loffa and Sindhu.
Interestingly, Rudham Sindhu, who had joined the Congress with Tanga Byaling and several others on 12 March, will now be contesting for the Taliha seat on an NPP ticket.
The state selection committee of the JD (U)’s state unit released its first list of five candidates for the upcoming assembly election, fielding former MLA Tani Loffa from Seppa West.
First list of NPP MLA candidates
| SI No. | Name of the Candidate | Name of Assembly Constituency |
| 1 | Shri Mutchu Mithi, MLA | 43-Roing |
| 2 | Shri Kumar Waii, MLA | 8-Bameng |
| 3. | Shri Nikh Kamin, MLA | 49-Bordumsa-Diyum |
| 4 | Shri Nikh Khopi | 48-Lekang |
| 5. | Shri Tirong Aboh, MLA | 56-Khonsa West |
| 6. | Shri Tony Pertin | 42-Dambuk |
| 7. | Shri Danhang Phuksa | 55-Khonsa East |
| 8. | Shri Tahang Taggu | 32-Rumgong |
| 9 | Shri Jampa Thrinley Kunkhap | 1-Lumla |
| 10. | Shri Tsering Gyurme | 4-Dirang |
| 11. | Shri Pani Taram, MLA | 21-Koloriang |
| 12 | Shri Tapuk Taku, MLA | 10-Seppa East |
| 13. | Shri Jarpum Gamlin | 27-Liromoba |
| 14. | Shri Shoney Pertin | 39-Mebo |
| 15. | Shri Gokar Basar | 29-Basar |
| 16. | Shri Karto Kaye | 36-Nari-Koyu |
| 17 | Shri Tarh Hari | 15-Sagalee |
| 18. | Shri Tarin Dakpe | 25-Raga |
| 19. | Shri Rudham Sindhu | 23-Taliha |
| 20. | Shri Porchu Tamin | 24-Daporijo |
| 21 | Shri Aju Khonjuju | 7-Bomdila |
| 22. | Shri Paknga Bage | 26-Dumporijo |
| 23. | Shri Thangwang Wangkham, MLA | 59-Longding-Pumao |
| 24. | Shri Jarkar Gamlin, MLA | 31-Aalo(East) |
| 25. | Shri Tori Ragyor | 33-Mechukha |
| 26. | Shri Malin Angam | 47-Namsai |
| 27. | Shri Iken Tao | 28-Likabali |
| 28. | Shri Tawang Lowang | 54-Namsang |
| 29. | Shri Khawang Rangsu | 57-Borduria-Bogapani |
First list of JDU MLA candidates
| Sl. No. | Name of Constituency | Name of Candidates |
| 1. | Shri Topin Ete | 30-Aalo West |
| 2. | Shri Dana Takio | 49-Bordumsa-Diyum |
| 3. | Shri Dongru Siongju | 7-Bomdila-Nafra |
| 4. | Shri Tani Loffa | 11-Seppa West |
| 5. | Shri Hayeng Mangfi | 9-Chayang Tajo |
First list of PPA MLA and MP candidates
| Sl. No. | Name of Constituency | Name of Candidates |
| 01. | 23 – Taliha | Shri. Tara Payang Ex -MLA |
| 02. | 25 – Raga | Shri. Nido Pavitra Ex – MLA |
| 03. | 28 – Likabali | Shri. Kardo Nigyor Ex – MLA |
| 04. | 34 – Tuting | Shri. Tsepa Wangchu Khamba |
| 05. | 38 – Pasighat East | Shri. Ennong Ering |
| 06. | 40 – Mariyang Geku | Shri. Ani Moyong |
| 07. | 57- Borduria Bogapani | Shri. Chawang Lowang |
| 08. | 59 – Longding Pumao | Shri. Chiknga Wangpan |
| 09. | 60 – Pangchao Wakka | Shri. Longwang Wangham |
| Sl. No. | Name of Constituency | Name of Candidates |
| 01. | 1 Arunachal West-Parliamentary Constituency | Adv. Subu Kechi |
