Headlines       Vol. 2 Issue 1-2

May 7- May 21 , 1999

Testing time ahead for Congress and CM As the Congress celebrates its return to power in Arunachal Pradesh following the merger of the Mukut Mithi Government with the national party, the real test for the combine will come during elections, which are round the corner. Assembly elections in the State are due in April next but are likely to be advanced and held along with the mid-term poll in September/October. The real problem before the party and the Chief Minister would be keeping his house united and in order when it goes to the hustings. In fact the very merger would be tested at the time of distribution of tickets. While those at the helm of affairs (Mithi's supporters) would insist on fielding sitting members, others, who stuck to the parent party when former chief minister Gegong Apang broke away, would bargain a price for their loyalty. Once the battle for tickets really picks up, the merger may come under strain.However, veteran Congress leader and working committee member P. A. Sangma dismissed such observations saying, “it is going to be a smooth affair.” The new dispensation under Mukut Mithi, installed on January 19 after the fall of Gegong Apang government, was yet to settle down to the business of governance and organisational matters when they merged with the Congress. “The emergence of the Congress in Arunachal Pradesh was the first step to regain its glorious position in the region,” said Ambika Soni, AICC general secretary in-charge of the North-East. Ousted chief minister Gegong Apang is also banking on impending problems within the Congress to strike back. “The day is not far when their internal contradictions would come to the fore,” said Mr. Apang, exuding confidence that “people of Arunachal Pradesh would never forgive them for this marriage of convenience." Like P. A. Sangma, Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister Hari Natung said, “we are confident it is going to be a smooth affair and justice done”. But Neelam Taram, a sitting member and former CLP leader, is cautious. He said that elections are fought to win, and therefore any party would like to field candidates who can return. There can be no criterion of sitting member, he asserted. Some leaders of Arunachal Pradesh noted that Mr. Teram's words were carrying the message that all the sitting members might not be given tickets. Moreover, 'right connections in the party high command' would also be one decisive factor in bagging ruling party tickets.Pradesh Congress vice president and the chairman of the merger celebration committee Dera Natung noted that party loyalty was always a quality for Congress leadership rewarded. While like of Mr. Teram and Mr. Natung may not face problems for tickets, as both the criteria, sitting membership and party leadership, go in their favour, it could be tough for the likes of Sona Mein, Speaker of the State Assembly. Mr. Mein, in all probability could be pitted against former CWC member Omen Deori. While Mr. Mein, given his present status, refused to make any specific comment other than merely saying that he would not betray his constituency people 'half way', Mrs. Deori has not ruled out her candidature. The Congress leadership will have to do much tight rope walking while distributing tickets.

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