Arunachal party's merger claim false, Congress tells EC

The Congress on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission (EC), saying a People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) resolution on merger of the Congress state unit with it was false and illegal.

It also requested the commission to examine the matter and pass appropriate order that there was no such "merger".

The Congress delegation was led by former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.

"It is submitted that no such meeting was held by the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee and the decision, as claimed by the PPA, is baseless and false. There is no decision taken by the Congress or by its state unit for the merger with PPA," said the memorandum.

"The alleged decision of merger is not sustainable in the eyes of law and even contrary to Para 16 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968," it added.

The memorandum said: "The PPA has referred to a resolution dated September 16, whereby it is claimed that a joint meeting of leaders and office-bearers of the Congress in Arunachal Pradesh was held in which 43 MLAs were said to be present and decided to merge with the PPA."

"The fact is that the PPA has zero strength in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly," it added.

--IANS

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