Deck is clear for Mithi's new role in Rajya Sabha

Itanagar, Mar 15 (UNI) Former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Mukut Mithi has filed his nomination papers for election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat in the state.

He filed his papers yesterday as a Congress nominee.

The election, if necessary, will be held on March 26.

Mr Mithi, also the former Lt. Governor of Puducherry, is all set to win the seat unopposed as his candidature had been supported by 43 Congress MLAs, 14 independents and two Arunachal Congress (AC) members, who are associate members of the ruling party in a house of 60 with one opposition BJP member.

Mr Mithi had to resign from his assembly seat (Roing) before he assumed office of Lt. Governor of Puducherry on July 19, 2006. He, however, resigned from the post on March 12 last and arrived here on Thursday to file nominations. Today was the last date for filing the nomination papers.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin, Speaker Setong Sena, AICC secretary and party observer Kirip Chaliha besides other ministers and MLAs were present with Mithi during filing of papers.

Later talking to mediapersons, he disclosed that more cohesive Centre-state relations would be his priority and he would see to it that the financial package announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his maiden visit to the state recently would be expedited in a time-bound manner.

Pointing out that a mechanism would be in place soon for effective monitoring of the implementation process, the veteran politician said the package would accelerate the economic growth of the state through development of specific infrastructure announced by the prime minister.

Mr Mithi said that immediate priority of the Congress party in the state was Panchayat elections and efforts should be made so that grievances of the panchayat raj institutions were fulfilled.

UNI UPB PC/src1144