The dissident faction of the Congress leaders, who have recently formed the Government in Arunachal Pradesh, has joined the State’s regional political party, Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA) on Thursday.
Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, who was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of the State on February 19 this year, had last week won the vote of confidence in the floor of the House with a nil Opposition.
Pul has the backing of 43 legislators in the 60-member House as of now including 30 Congress legislators, 11 BJP legislators and two Independents. The 11 BJP legislators have supported Pul from outside and they are not going to be a part of the Government.
“The 30 Congress legislators including Pul met at a conference hall of the State Assembly on Thursday and decided to join the PPA enmass,” said Honipa Yaunfo, a student’s leader close with the Pul camp.
He said that the expansion of the Cabinet of Chief Minister Kalikho Pul will take place in a day or two. Sources further hinted that the BJP may also join the Government soon.
“Earlier it was a Congress Government and so we have lend support from outside. But since it is a PPAP Government now, there is a possibility that the BJP may also join the Government,” said Arunachal Pradesh BJP president, Tamiyo Taga.