APCC dismisses claim of rebellion in party

A media report claimed that 37 Congress legislators, including six ministers, have joined hands to try and topple CM Nabam Tuki

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee today dismissed media reports which suggested that the Nabam Tuki-led government is about to topple owing to a rebellion among party legislators.

A report published in a national daily yesterday claimed that 37 Congress legislators, including six ministers, have joined hands to try and topple Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.

The report named sitting ministers Kamlung Mossang, Chowna Mein, Wangling Lowangdong, Thangwang Wangham, Kumar Waii and Pema Khandu as having joined hands with former Finance Minister Kalikho Pul who is allegedly leading the dissident group.

"The report is false, fabricated and misleading and there is no iota of truth in it," APCC chief Padi Richo said in a statement here today.

Rumours cannot be taken into consideration and it must be clarified by the concerned leaders, he said.

"All the legislators are right now with the chief minister.

"How can an expelled member like Kalikho Pul lead a few council of ministers?" Richo said. The party also asked the ministers whose names have appeared in the media report, to immediately give a clarification.

"The people have given the strong mandate to the present government under the leadership of chief minister Tuki and all flagships programs are taking place in full swing. There are a few people who are trying to tarnish the image of the popular government for their vested interest," Richo added.

The 60-member Assembly in the state has 47 Congress, 11 BJP and two Independent legislators.

Social Welfare, Child Development, Tribal Affairs Minister Wanglin Lowangdong when contacted said, "It is shocking that my name has been dragged. I am busy in conducting the Memorial Football Tournament at Khonsa in memory of my late mother Thansen Wangchadong in which the people of Tirap are enthusiastically involved. I am not aware of it," he said.

Research Minister Thanwang Wangham, presently undergoing treatment in New Delhi, said, "Why should I talk to media about internal party matters. It would amount to mockery of party democracy. I am not aware of anything; nobody spoke to me about this."

However, Mein, Khandu, Waii and Mossang could not be contacted for comments.