Arunachal Pradesh: CM Pema Khandu, deputy CM, 5 others suspended by their party

The Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA) late on Thursday night temporarily suspended chief minister Pema Khandu, deputy CM Chowna Mein and five other legislators from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect for alleged anti-party activities.

The five other MLAs are Jambey Tashi (Lumla), Passang Dorjee Sona (Mechuka), Chow Tewa Mein (Chowkham), Zingnu Namchom (Namsai) and Kamlung Mossang (Miao).

PPA President Kahfa Bengia, who ordered the suspension, said prima facie he was satisfied with the proof of their indulgence in gross “anti-party” activities. His order also said Khandu now ceased to be the leader of the PPA Legislature Party.

Read: BJP to enter Arunachal govt a month after Cong MLAs quit to join regional party

Bengia directed party MLAs and PPA functionaries not to attend any meeting called by Khandu, and said any member failing to comply with the order will have to face disciplinary action.

Bengia, in a letter to assembly speaker T Norbu Thongdok, requested him to declare the suspended MLAs as unattached members of the House and arrange separate sitting for them. He also requested the Speaker to communicate the development to the governor.

CM Khandu, who took over from Nabam Tuki in July, sprang a surprise in September by leaving the Congress and joining the state outfit along with 43 MLAs.