Arunachal Assembly election: BJP candidate emerges as strong contender in Congress stronghold

In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate has emerged as a strong contender in the Congress stronghold, where former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has achieved victory in six terms since 1994. 

An influx of Congress workers and leaders have switched allegiance to the BJP, following the party's nomination of Er Ratu Techi, a retired Superintendent Engineer from the Public Works Department. 

Techi received a warm reception in Sagalee town following his selection as the BJP candidate for the 15th Sagalee Assembly constituency of Papum Pare, a seat previously held by Tuki. Adding to the political upheaval, Tuki recently resigned from his role as President of the Arunachal Pradesh Congress. 

He plans to return to grassroots politics and confront the challenge posed by Techi, a local from Nimte in the Sagalee constituency. Despite these developments, Tuki's influence in the Sagalee constituency, where he has served six terms, remains strong.

Ratu Techi, in a recent interaction with the media, asserted that only the ruling party can bring about development. He urged the citizens of Sagalee constituency to not vote for the Congress representative this time and instead opt for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for rapid development of Sagalee. 

Techi, a fervent Christian, stated that the BJP is not against minorities or Christians. Sagalee, being the nearest constituency to the capital Itanagar, about 70-80 km away, has not witnessed development at the same pace as other constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh. 

The region lacks adequate educational institutions, hospitals and many village roads, such as Mengio and Parang, have been in a dilapidated condition for decades. 

Techi expressed respect for Nabam Tuki as a good human being but critiqued his affiliation with the Congress, claiming it has hindered the speed of development. The citizens now desire a change in leadership and support for the ruling BJP party under PM Modi and CM Pema Khandu.