BJP receives jolt as legislators join Congress

Itanagar, Jun 4 (UNI) The Opposition BJP in Arunachal Pradesh today received a major setback as eight out of its nine legislators joined the ruling Congress, reducing the party's tally to one in the 60-member assembly.

Speaker Setong Sena, who accepted their decision, told UNI that the exercise was as per provisions of the assembly rules and as over two-thirds of the members merged, the anti-defection law would not come into effect.

The party would now only be represented by R T Khunjuju.

However, no leader of the party could be contacted for comments.

The high voltage drama started immediately after change of leadership when state Power Minister Dorjee Khandu replaced veteran leader Gegong Apang as he new chief minister of the state recently.

The saffron party for the first time won nine seats in the assembly polls, creating a history of sort in this tribal state.

Out of them seven were newcomers including Kipa Babu, Tani Loffa, Techi Hemu, Balo Raja, Talem Tapak, Bosiram Siram and R T Khunjuju, while Kameng Dolo and C.T. Mein were old faces.

With the new development, the Congress strength in the 60-member assembly rose to 41, while Arunachal Congress (AC) and NCP two each, BJP 1 and Independent 14.

However, all the Independents as well as the NCP and AC were associate members of the Congress.

UNI