Arunachal  Chief Minister Mukut Mithi has refuted the claims of former chief minister Gegong Apang that he was backstabbed by his former colleagues who were acting at the behest of some underground elements, particularly the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM).

In a statement released from the Chief Minister's secretariat, it has been stated that the claim of the former chief minister 'was totally false, fabricated and misleading to the people. The State Government on many occasions has made it clear that the underground elements had nothing to do with Mr. Apang's ouster. The ouster was his own creation as he misruled the State and its people during his 19 years long tenure as chief minister.' “It is better Mr. Apang accept his defeat instead of beating about the bush', the release said.

Regarding the allegation of 'backstabbing', the release noted that Gegong Apang was outsed from power in the State Assembly which is the highest forum in a democratic set up. Hence the question of backstabing did not arise and the allegation had no iota of truth but a big lie, the statement claimed.

Mr. Mithi also denied the charges of keeping the MLAs hostages during the trial of strength. He claimed that all the 60 MLAs attended the special session of the State Assembly of their own. On the other hand, the Chief Minister alleged that his predecessor had kept several MLAs and minister under forceful confinement at his official residence and sent some MLAs to New Delhi under the pretext of medical treatment.