Apang hits back at allegations

Itanagar, Aug 7 (UNI) Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang today reacted to comments made by senior ministers charging him with conspiring to destabilise the present government.

Talking to newspersons this evening, Mr Apang said ''Before going to the press, they(the ministers) should have discussed the matter in the party forum or informed the high command.

''This was deliberately done to tarnish my image,'' he added.

''I have informed Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee(APCC) President Omem Moyang Deori and party high command about the matter,'' Mr Apang said and added that he could not inform the matter to the chief minister as he was out of station.

He further clarified that he was not involved in instigating about 300 youths and public leaders and the alleged attempts to demonstrate in Delhi soon.

While stating that he had never interfered in any political matters of the four-month-old Dorjee Khandu government, the veteran Congress leader wondered what prompted the senior ministers to level wild allegations against him.

''I would step down from the post of Arunachal Pradesh CLP leader on request of All India Congress Committee President Sonia Gandhi to avoid another party defection,'' he said adding that if the government had any kind of charges against him, he was ready to face inquiry.

UNI