[ Karyir Riba, Junroi Mamai, Tongam Rina ]
With the BJP battling a huge anti-incumbency wave in two parliamentary seats of the state, it’s a tough ride for the candidates as well as the party.
However, with six vying for the seats, it may be a blessing in disguise for the sitting MP of the eastern parliamentary seat, Tapir Gao of the BJP. At the same time, it’s not going to be easy as he’s pitted against three others from the Siang valley, including long-time BJP leader Tamat Gamoh and Bosiram Siram of the Congress.
The others are Independent candidates Sotai Kri of Lohit, Omak Nitik of Upper Siang, and Bandey Mili of Dibang Valley.
30-year-old Nitik, a commerce graduate from Rajiv Gandhi University, is a first-timer. Gamoh was the BJP president of East Siang district and a long-time BJP worker. He is contesting as an Independent candidate. A grassroots leader, he has a good hold in Siang districts, while Siram is a former education minister. Siram, who represented Pasighat, also has his roots in the BJP, having served as the state BJP president.
He is a veteran in state politics.
Gao is seeking a fourth term as MP. Having been elected for the first time in 2004 parliament, he is known to be vocal about China.
56-year-old Sotai Kri comes from the Mishmi tribe of Danglat village in Lohit district. He is the founder patron of the apex Mishmi society – Cultural and Literary Society of Mishmi (CALSOM). He has varied experiences in student politics, panchayat, and has held various positions in BJP wings, including ABVP, BJYM, and Arunachal Vikas Parishad within the state and at the national level. He was also the chairman of cooperative societies. Kri had contested for MLA and MP from the BJP several times when the BJP was not in power at the Centre or at the state level.
As a dedicated karyakarta of the party, he had also rejected offers to contest from Congress (I) party ticket during the tenures of Gegong Apang and Mukut Mithi. He has also served as adviser to the CM, as well as state president of the Bharat Raksha Manch. He was also the convener-cum-brand ambassador of Northeast Namaste State for Swachh Bharat Mission. Kri also held the position of court member of Dibrugarh University.
43-year-old Bandey Milli is a native of Dibang Valley district. He had contested for MP in the 2019 general elections from JD (S). This time Milli is contesting from the Arunachal Democratic Party.
While the manifesto of the state Bharatiya Janata Party promises infrastructure development encompassing airways, roadways, and walkways, including infrastructural development of the Tirap-Changlang-Longding districts, the Congress, on the other hand, has promised better health facilities, education, and scholarships for students, enhancement of wages, and cash incentives for farmers.
With the few crucial days remaining, the eastern parliamentary seat is anyone’s guess. While the BJP leadership is working overnight to ensure victory by holding massive rallies addressed by central and state leaders across the state, the Congress and independent candidates have taken on a more personal and direct approach of reaching out to the voters.
It remains to be seen who the electorates will choose on the penultimate day, but one thing is certain: it’s not going to be a cakewalk for anyone.
