Candidates make a beeline to file nominations

ITANAGAR, Mar 23: With the last date for filing nominations for the simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha polls in Arunachal Pradesh drawing closer, 60 candidates have filed their nominations for the assembly polls till Friday.
Three candidates have also filed their nominations for the two Lok Sabha seats in the state till Friday, election office sources said on Saturday.
While the last date for the filing of nominations is 25 March, scrutiny will take place on 26 March, and the last date of withdrawal of nominations has been fixed on 28 March.
Polls for 60 assembly seats and the two parliamentary seats will be held in the state on 11 April.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Friday filed his nomination for the Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat, while BJP state unit president Tapir Gao filed his nomination for the Arunachal East Lok Sabha seat.
An independent candidate, Romak Jamoh, also filed his nomination for the Arunachal West parliamentary seat, the sources said.
An independent is among the 60 candidates who filed their nominations for the assembly polls till Friday.
The prominent candidates who filed their nominations for the assembly polls include former chief minister Gegong Apang from Tuting-Yingkiong seat on a Janata Dal (Secular) ticket, former home minister and sitting MLA Tanga Byaling from Nacho as a Congress candidate, and former minister Atum Welly from Pakke-Kessang on a Congress ticket.
Former minister Nyato Rigia has filed his nomination from Taliha on a BJP ticket, senior BJP leader Japu Deru from Bomdila seat, and sitting MLA Kumsi Sidisow from Thrizino-Buragaon as a BJP nominee.
Speaker of the outgoing assembly, T Norbu Thongdok, filed his nomination from Kalaktang seat as a BJP nominee, while sitting MLA Phurpa Tsering filed his nomination from Dirang constituency on a BJP ticket.
NPP spokesman and sitting legislator Mutchu Mithi filed his nomination from Roing seat, the sources said.??A report from Yingkiong said Health & Family Welfare Minister Alo Libang filed his nomination from Tuting-Yingkiong seat as a BJP nominee. (PTI)