Arunachal CM Pema Khandu joins BJP

A day after being suspended by the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday.

"We have joined the BJP today, definitely it is a full-fledged BJP government in the state now. There is no question of resigning since we have marched out," Khandu told ANI.

He further said that paperwork has been submitted to the Legislative Assembly through the Speaker.

The PPA had earlier in the day suspended four more MLAs from the party. The suspended MLAs are Punji Mara, Bamang Felix, Paney Taram and Honchung Ngandam. A total of eleven MLAs have been suspended till now.

Khandu has earlier in the day said that the ongoing political turmoil in the state has affected overall development.

"MLAs are temporarily suspended without any show cause notice. Development of Arunachal is eluded due to this political turmoil," he said.

Khandu added that the decision taken by the People's Party of Arunachal to suspend it's MLAs is a blessing in disguise.

"The way the PPA cheated its legislative members, more than two to three MLAs decided to join BJP, and hence, this decision is a blessing in disguise," he added.

The PPA earlier on Friday suspended Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and five other MLAs including Jambey Tashi (Lumla), Passang Dorjee Sona (Mechuka), Chow Tewa Mein (Chowkham), Zingnu Namchom (Namsai) and Kamlung Mossang (Miao) from the primary membership of the party temporarily with immediate effect for alleged anti-party activities.