19 newcomers win Arunachal assembly poll

A total of 19 newcomers who tried their luck, tasted victory in the assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh.
While most of them are from Gen Next, nine of them represent BJP, five Congress, three PPA and two Independents. The state has a legacy of electing first timers.
In 2004 assembly elections altogether 24 new faces were elected while during 2009 polls, only 17 new entrants tasted luck.
In this election, BJP first time winners included Kento Rina (Nari-Koyu), Laisam Simai (Nampong), Olom Panyang (Meriyang Geku), Tage Taki from Ziro-Hapoli constituency, Tamar Murtem from Raga constituency who defeated health parliamentary secretary Nido Pavitra, Tumke Bagra (Along West) defeated parliamentary secretary (Home) Gadam Ete, Kaling Moyong who won from Pasighat East defeating Education Minister Bosiram Siram.

Other new faces of the party include Dr Mahesh Chai (Tezu) who defeated Parliamentary secretary for public health engineering Karikho Kri and Tesan Pongte from Changlang North constituency who overpowered parliamentary secretary for water resources department Tinghaap Taiju.
While Rina is a retired government official, Simai who was the personal assistant of Agriculture Minister Setong Sena defeated defeated his boss.

Panyang is a prominent BJP leader of the area while Taki was an engineer with the state PWD who took voluntary retirement to contest the poll.
Murtem is a prominent leader of the party from the area.
Tumke Bagra and Kaling Moyong are popular leaders from their respective districts, while Mahesh Chai was a doctor by profession and Pongte is a popular leader from insurgency- hit Changlang district.

Among the first entrants in Congress, Muchu Mithi (Roing), an entrepreneur is the eldest son of Rajya Sabha MP and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Mukut Mithi, while Dikto Yekar (Daporijo) is a youth Congress leader.
Zinglu Namchoom, who won from Namsai constituency is a prominent youth leader of the area.
Another new face of the party, Tatung Jamoh who won from Pasighat West defeating sitting BJP MLA Dr Tangor Tapak, is another youth leader of the area.
Mama Natung from Congress, who is also a first timer won from Seppa West unopposed.
Interestingly, Kameng Dolo (Congress) former deputy chief minister won from Pakke Kessang seventh time in his eight attempts.

While, second longest serving chief minister of the country Gegong Apang failed to join the rank.
Dolo won unopposed this time, while Apang was defeated by his Congress rival Alo Libang from Tuting Yingkiong constituency.
PPA candidate Wanglam Sawin (Khonsa East) is a popular leader of the area, while Tirong Aboh (Khonsa West) is an equally popular leader of the party.
Another giant killer of the party is Pani Taram from Koloriang who defeated parliamentary secretary for tax & excise Lokam Tassar.
Independent candidate Tsering Tashi who won from Tawang constituency, is the district Congress president and son of former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu.

Another independent Paknga Bage who won from Dumporijo defeating is a popular figure of the constituency.