[ Taba Ajum ]
ITANAGAR, Apr 8: In the coming assembly election, one of the constituencies where things might get interesting is Bordumsa-Diyun, which is the only unreserved seat in the state’s 60-member legislative assembly.
Altogether 10 candidates are in the fray for the constituency, including independent candidate Yari Tok, who is the youngest in this year’s assembly election. Aged just 25 years, Tok is a native of Mebiaso village in Sangdupota circle of Papum Pare district. She is contesting an election for the first time.
Nikh Kamin of the National People’s Party (NPP) is the sitting Bordumsa-Diyun MLA.
The other candidates are Jawra Maio (BJP), Joseph Kishan (INC), Sijen Thakko (PPA), Dana Takio (JD-U), Pike Pulu (JD-S), Upendra Chandra Deori (All Indians Party), Samlung Mossang (independent) and Bidya Sankar Prasad (independent).
Though it is an unreserved seat, so far the non-APSTs have kept away from contesting election for Bordumsa-Diyun. However, this time three non-APST candidates are in the fray. The Congress’ candidate, Joseph Kisan, is from the Adivasi community, while Upen Chandra Deori is from the Deori community. The third candidate, Bidya Sankar Prasad, is of Bihari origin but is married to a tribal Arunachalee woman and is settled in Ningroo Adi village in Namsai district.
Prasad is a small-time businessman, but is widely known in Namsai area. Speaking to this daily, he said, “My wife is an Arunachalee tribal and even my daughter-in-law is a local tribal girl. I have been living in the state since the NEFA days and have actively participated in the political activities.”
He alleged that most of the leaders, after winning the election, forget about the problems of the people of the area and stay in Itanagar.
Nikh Kamin had once represented the Yachuli assembly constituency in Lower Subansiri district, and shifted to Bordumsa-Diyun in 2014. He had defeated former minister and one of the political heavyweights of eastern Arunachal, CC Singpho, in a surprise result.
Kamin’s victory seems to have inspired several other candidates from the rest of the state to try their luck in Bordumsa-Diyun. The constituency has a large concentration of non-APST voters, with Adivasis and Chakma refugees forming a major chunk of the electorate.
