Have Four NPP Legislators Joined the PPA?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four MLAs from the NPP have joined the PPA.
- This transition strengthens the PPA's presence in the assembly.
- The BJP remains the dominant party in the region.
- This shift reflects changing political allegiances.
- The PPA now holds a total of six seats.
Itanagar, June 16 (NationPress) In a significant political move, four MLAs from the National People’s Party (NPP) have officially transitioned to the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), as confirmed by a notification from the state assembly released on Monday.
Despite this shift, both the NPP and PPA remain components of the ruling coalition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
According to a statement from the state Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongte, the legislators making this switch include Namgey Tsering (Tawang), Pesi Jilen (Liromoba), Tapi Darang (Pasighat East), and Oni Panyang (Mariyang-Geku).
The four MLAs submitted their intent to join the PPA in a letter addressed to the assembly Speaker on May 12.
In the notification, State Assembly Secretary Tadar Meena confirmed that this transition was made in accordance with the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules 1987.
With this merger, the PPA, established in 1977, now holds six seats in the 60-member assembly, while the BJP remains the dominant force with 46 seats.
Additionally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has three seats, and the Congress holds one seat, with three Independent MLAs also present.
The NPP, led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, is now left with only one MLA, Thangwang Wangham, who won from the Longding-Pumao constituency.
Wangham, who heads the Arunachal Pradesh unit of the Meghalaya-based National Party, has not commented on this recent political shift. The realignment of these four NPP legislators signifies a crucial shift in the political dynamics of the state, bolstering the influence of the PPA, Arunachal Pradesh’s only regional party.