Congress alone can bring development in Arunachal: Dolo

Itanagar, June 5 (UNI) Former Opposition Leader Kameng Dolo, who joined the Congress, along with other BJP legislators, today claimed that Congress alone could bring rapid development in Arunachal Pradesh.

In a sudden political development yesterday, eight of the total nine BJP legislators joined the Congress, which was the biggest blow to the Saffron brigade in the North Eastern, as the party boasted of having the highest number of MLAs of the region in this tribal state.

Speaking to newspersons, Mr Dolo, along with six of his colleagues, said the move was 'unconditional' and done with the intention to bring about rapid development in the state.

''Development of the people of this backward state is more important than party matters,'' he claimed and added that Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu had ''proved his mettle as a competent man.'' Lauding the efforts of the chief minister in streamlining the Public Distribution System, Mr Dolo said all the BJP legislators were rooting for revival of the sick Arunachal Pradesh Cooperative Apex Bank but got no results, while Mr Khandu was successful in sanctioning Rs 225 crore from the Centre for the bank, he claimed.

''Our aim is to expedite developmental activities for the state which is not possible by remaining in opposition,'' he said and revealed that the new members would suggest to the state government to prepare a five-year vision document to expedite planned development in the state.

With this defection, the strength of the BJP has reduced to one, while that of the ruling Congress party has swelled to 41.

Presently, the Arunachal Congress has two legislators, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has one, one unattached and 14 Independents in the 60-member house.

The legislators, namely Kameng Dolo (Chayang Tajo), Tapang Taloh (Pangin), Chow Tewa Mein (Chowkham), Balo Raja (Palin), Tani Loffa (Seppa West), Kipa Babu (Itanagar), Techi Hemu (Pakke-Kessang) and Bosiram Siram (Pasighat East), joined Congress.

Meanwhile, the BJP, which had formed the government before the 2004 Assembly elections, boasts of sending both the Members of Parliament to the Lok Sabha from the state.

UNI