Khandu allocate portfolios to his new Ministry

Lifting the veil off suspense over who would be allotted which ministry, finally, portfolios has been allotted to the 11 Ministers inducted into Khandu Ministry. Following are the portfolios allotted to the Ministers:

1. Tako Dabi – Home


2. Nabam Tuki – PWD and UD


3. Jarbom Gamlin – Parliamentary Affairs and Power (Electrical)


4. Setong Sena – Finance and Lottery


5. Kalikho Pul – RWD and Tax and Excise


6. Bosiram Siram – Education


7. Chowna Mein – PHED


8. Tanga Byaling – Health


9. Atum Welly – WRD


10. Takar Marde – RD and Panchayat


11. Hongchun Ngandam – Horticulture

Dorjee Khandu set to become CM for second term

Putting rest to speculation surfaced prior to Arunachal Pradesh going to polls on October 13th that the Pradesh Congress was divided over post of Chief Ministership with Dorjee Khandu and Nabam Tuki trying to outdo each other, the newly elected Congress legislators in a CLP meeting today unanimously elected Dorjee Khandu as the leader of Congress Legislature Party.

He is set to become Chief Minister for second term once a formal nod is given by the party president.

Should Dorjee Khandu continue as CM of Arunachal?

No, says the Arunachal Youth Federation, when media speculates that Dorjee Khandu is set to take over the reign of the state for second term.

The reasons (source -The Arunachal Times):

1. The state has seen deteriorating law and order problem, nepotisms and corruption reaching its peak under his regime.


2. His close affinity with the spiritual leader Dalai Lama and his cultural and social similarity and his deep concerned for the Tibetan cause.


3. Highest rate of corruption especially in department of Hydropower and civil supply during his regime and


4. Repeated Chinese claim during his regime.

Well, what do you think about their allegations?

Outcome of Election Result brings Capital of Arunachal to standstill

Have you been following Arunachal Diary's tweet recently? Then, you might remember that yesterday I tweeted (1, 2, 3) about commotion at Itanagar which resulted in closure of shops and deployment of para-military forces all along Itanagar and Naharlagun township.

The commotion at twin-township of capital complex, according to report appearing in today’s edition of The Arunachal Times, was resultant of the outcome of result for the candidature of Itanagar constituency. The supporters of losing party i.e., INC went on rampage threatening the shops at Naharlagun, Itanagar and Ganga to down their shutters moving in a group in about 10 vehicles. The reporter, who was witness to the entire mayhem at Akashdeep complex at Itanagar, put their act akin to the act of ‘Taliban’.

Group of people in around 10 vehicles zooms past market area and asks all the shops to close their shutters. In helter-skelter everybody close shops and run for the cover. Well, this is not the scene from any Hindi Movie; this was the scene at Akashdeep Market in central Itanagar on Friday.

....

Capital Complex police have arrested 7 people in this regard and all have been put behind the bar.

According to the police all the detained men are supporters of Indian National Congress (INC) and further investigation is on.

......

Those guys sitting in a car and shouting all shops to close, was so much behaving like way Taliban often does in Afghanistan. They had no regards for law of the state and were having fun by creating terror.

-The Arunachal Times.

Now I wonder, why was Cr.PC 144 withdrawn just after the counting day by the district administration when it was clamped anticipating disturbance owing to outcome of result of Itanagar constituency? Had it been enforced for another couple of days, I guess we would have not witnessed the commotion as we witnessed yesterday; luckily no loss of life or property was reported.

Also it has made me wonder, why can't the losing party or it's supporter take the defeat gracefully?

Arunachal Assembly Election-2009 Results-Live Update

Counting of votes has started and by evening fate of the contesting candidates would be known. Arunachal Diary would try to update the Assembly Election -2009 Results live. Do watch this space.

I'd also like to request readers of Arunachal Diary to help Arunachal Diary in updation of results live by putting in the data of results from their constituency in the comments section below.

In the meantime Arunachal Diary has closed the poll on "Which Party would form the next government in Arunachal Pradesh?" the result of which is follows:

Majority of people voted feels that INC would be back in power.

Let's see if the people's prediction tally's with the actual result.

Result Arunachal Assembly Election-2009-Live Update

1. INC-Leading in 8 seats. (Already won -3)


2. NCP - 0


3. AITC- 0


4. BJP - 0


5. Others - 0

Update: 9.22 am

1. INC - Leading in 15 seats


2. NCP- 0


3. BJP- 0


4. Others- 1

Update: 10.27 am

Karikho Kri and Chow Tewa Mein both INC candidate wins from Tezu and Chowkham Assembly Constituency respectively.

Update: 10.33 am

Nacho- Tanga Byaling, INC wins

Liromoba - Jarbom Gamlin INC wins

Sagalee- Nabam Tuki, INC wins

Panging-Tapang Taloh, INC wins

Hayuliang- Kalikho Pul, INC wins

Namsang- Wangki Lowang, INC wins

Update: Phurpa Tsering, PPA wins from Dirang, Kumar Waii, INC wins from Bameng, Jarbom Gamlin INC wins from Liromoba, J.K. Panggeng INC wins from Mariyang-Geku

Update: 10.54 am

Khamta Lowang, AITC wins from Khonsa

Update: 12.02 pm

List of Winning Candidates- Updated: 1930 hrs

Sl.No.	Constituency	Winner	Party
1	Lumla	Jambey Tashi	INC
2	Tawang	Tsewang Dhondup	INC
3	Mukto	Dorjee Khandu	INC
4	Dirang	Phurpa Tsering	PPA
5	Kalaktang	Tenzing Norbu Thongdok	INC
6	Thrizino-Buragaon	Kumsi Sidisow	PPA
7	Bomdila	R.T. Khunjuju	INC
8	Bameng	Kumar Waii	INC
9	Chayang Tajo	Karya Bagang	AITC
10	Seppa East	Tapuk Taku	AITC
11	Seppa West	Tani Loffa	AITC
12	Pakke Kesang	Atum Welly	INC
13	Itanagar	Techi Kaso	NCP
14	Doimukh	Nabam Rebia	INC
15	Sagalee	Nabam Tuki	INC
16	Yachuli	Likha Saaya	INC
17	Ziro-Hapoli	Padi Richo	INC
18	Palin	Takam Tagar	PPA
19	Nyapin	Bamang Felix	NCP
20	Tali	Markio Tado	PPA
21	Koloriang	Lokam Tasar	INC
22	Nacho	Tanga Byaling	INC
23	Taliha	Punji Mara	INC
24	Daporijo	Tapen Siga	BJP
25	Raga	Nido Pavitra	INC
26	Dumporijo	Takar Marde	INC
27	Liromoba	Jarbom Gamlin	INC
28	Likabali	Jomde Kena	INC
29	Basar	Gojen Gadi	INC
30	Along West	Gadam Ete	INC
31	Along-East	Jarkar Gamlin	INC
32	Rumgong	Tamiyo Taga	BJP
33	Mechuka	Pasang Dorjee Sona	INC
34	Tuting-Yingkiong	Alo Libang	NCP
35	Pangging	Tapang Taloh	INC
36	Nari-Koyu	Tako Dabi	INC
37	Pasighat-West	Dr. Tangor Tapak	BJP
38	Pasighat-East	Bosiram Siram	INC
39	Mebo	Ralom Borang	NCP
40	Mariyang-Geku	J.K. Panggeng	INC
41	Anini	Rajesh Tacho	INC
42	Dambuk	Jomin Tayeng	NCP
43	Roing	Laeta Umbrey	AITC
44	Tezu	Karikho Kri	INC
45	Hayuliang	Kalikho Pul	INC
46	Chowkham	Chow Tewa Mein	INC
47	Namsai	Nang Sati Mein	Independent
48	Lekang	Chowna Mein	INC
49	Bordumsa-Diyun	C.C. Singpho	INC
50	Miao	Kamlung Mosang	INC
51	Nampong	Setong Sena	INC
52	Changlang South	Phosum Khimhun	INC
53	Changlang North	Thinghaap Taiju	INC
54	Namsang	Wangki Lowang	INC
55	Khonsa East	Khamtak Lowang	AITC
56	Khonsa West	Yumsum Matey	INC
57	Borduria-Bogapani	Wanglin Lowangdong	INC
58	Kanubari	Newlai Tingkhatra	INC
59	Longding-Pumao	Thangwang Wangham	INC
60	Pongchau-Wakka	Honchun Ngandam	INC

Follow Arunachal Diary @ Twitter for bit sized-updates

Poll Officials suspended in Arunachal

Six Presiding Officers of Likabali Constituency under West Siang District has reportedly been put under suspension for dereliction of duty by the District Election Officer Amjad Tak. Read the full story here.

Creativity at its best during Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election, 2009

This Assembly Election, Arunachal Pradesh was witness to two very different kind of creativity. On the one hand creativity was applied for smooth poll process whereas on the other hand creativity was applied to disrupt the poll process.

Prime Minister to address election meeting at Arunachal today

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be addressing an election meeting at Pasighat today in support of party candidate for October 13^th Poll.

I wonder what would be Beijing's reaction to this visit considering the resentment shown by Beijing when he visited Arunachal the last time.

Which party would form the next government in Arunachal Pradesh?

During the midst of CoSAAP’s agitation and seeing how the government was handling the situation, Arunachal Diary had run a poll asking it’s reader if at all the handling of CoSAAP’s agitation by the ruling Congress government would have any effect on Party’s prospect in the ensuing assembly election slated for October, 13^th. The readers of Arunachal Diary voted wholeheartedly and total of 126 votes were polled, which is the second highest number of votes polled in any poll that was run in Arunachal Diary so far. So, what does the reader of Arunachal Diary felt? The result is given below (see snapshot):

[caption id="attachment_434" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Result of Poll on Would the present handling of CoSAAP's agitation by the Government affect their prospects in forthcoming Assembly Elections?"][/caption]

Result:

88% of the voters felt that it would certainly affect Congress Party’s prospect in the ensuing assembly election, while fraction of the voters, precisely 6% felt that it would not have any effect on INC’s prospect and remaining voters were unsure if it would have any effect. The details of poll result can be found here.

With ‘anti-incumbency factor’ running high, the general notion that it would affect the prospect of ruling INC government in ensuing election felt somewhat true. Then there was this (once regarded) dynamic leader in Mr. Rijiju, who people thought would be the factor in unbalancing the equation of power in the Assembly Election slated for October, 13^th. But with his joining INC shortly after the Lok Sabha election, it has left the people disillusioned. Nevertheless, the 'anti-incumbency' factor may play a major role this assembly election.

What is the present equation?

Indian National Congress (INC) has fielded 60 candidates of which 3 candidates viz., Present Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu (Mukto Constituency), sitting MLA Tsewang Dhondup (Tawang Town constituency) and debutant Jambey Tashi (Lumla constituency) has been elected unopposed.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) - 36 candidates.

All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) – 26 Candidates.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) – 18 Candidates.

Peoples’ Party of Arunachal (PPA) – 11 Candidates

Janata Dal (United) (JDU) – 3 Candidates.

Independent – 3 Candidates.

Which Party would form the next government?

With INC already securing 3 seats even prior to state goes to poll on October 13^th and the party being the present ruling government, it is speculated that INC would garner enough seats from the rest 57 constituencies that they fielded their candidate from, so as to form the next government. However, the equation may be disturbed by other parties and by the 'anti-incumbency factor' running high among the general masses. The result will only be known only when the state goes to poll on October 13th and poll results declared.

In the meantime, Arunachal Diary has started a new poll (see sidebar). Do vote in and let's know which political party do you feel would form the next government.

How much is "enough"?

When it comes to Arunachal Politicos', it seems sky is the limit of their desires/requirements. Why would an individual need 50 or 25 or for that matter even 1o gun licenses?

In its' September 26th edition, The Arunachal Times reported that Education Minister Tatar Kipa, sitting MLA Lokam Tassar and ex-Minister Kafa Bengia had got issued 50, 10 and 25 arms license respectively against their names vide government order dated August 24^th under special quota; barely a week before the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct. This has drawn the attention of Arunachal Pradesh Trinamool Congress Party who questioned the state Chief Secretary regarding issuance of the same and has sought action against the issuing authority.

On one hand Election Commission of India make it mandatory to deposit arms with the Police while on the others the government has issued 85 new gun licenses under special quota against three individuals. Education minister Tater Kipa requested for 50 gun licenses, sitting MLA Lokam Tassar asked for 10 while former minister Kapa bengia had 25 issued against his name. The government orders are dated Aug 24 barely a week before Model Code of Conduct was enforced.

The issuance of such large number of arms license has raised so many questions in my mind? Why would any politico need such large cache of arms? For personal security? But why 50 or 25 or 10 and not 1?  Has it got anything to do with the assembly polls slated for October 13^th? If issuance of such large number of arms licenses to an individual (even under special quota) is permissible under Arms Act/Rule? (I would need an input on this from legal experts.) Whatever I've read or come across about the Arms Act/Rule, there is provision of only 3 (three) arms to be possessed or carried by an individual. So, has the issuing authority flaunted the Act/Rule?

Arunachal Pradesh to go on poll on October 13

Arunachal Pradesh along with  Maharashtra and Haryana would go to poll on October 13th, as declared by Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla on Monday. The counting of votes would be done on October, 22^nd and the entire process will be completed by 25^th of October. Below is the schedule:

• Issue of notification — September 18
• Last date for nominations — September 25
• Date for scrutiny of nominations — September 26
• Last date for withdrawal of candidature — September 29
• Date of poll — October 13 (Tuesday)
• Counting — October 22 (Thursday)
• Date before which the entire election process will be completed — October 25 (Sunday)
• Model code of conduct comes into force with immediate effect
• Poll in these states will be conducted at all polling stations using EVMs

Kiren Rijiju joins Congress

The BJP ex-MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Kiren Rijiju has joined Congress ahead of forthcoming assembly election scheduled about 2 months from now.

Considering the political history of Arunachal, it is not surprising but it was not expected either.

I remember, when I chanced to meet him at Ziro during his poll campaign of recently concluded Parliamentary election, I heard him saying to public, “What come may, I would never change my party.” He even went on to say that he was tempted by Congressmen with money to join Congress but he declined. This had put him in my high esteem and I thought this is the right man, the man who would take Arunachal in the right path; who refuses the monetary benefit offered to join the rival party because he feels that Congress is responsible for all the mess that we are in. If you remember, I even vouched for him in my earlier post, even though I’m not a staunch supporter of BJP.

But now if I get chance to vote for him, I would not do so. He has shown that all the politicians of the state are the same who change color based on the color at the centre. He has shown that he is no exception but sheep of the same flock.

Now, the question is why did he took this step after hope was pinned on him, that may be our state would see a change; come this assembly election. Was his step a fallout of the turmoil in the central BJP leadership? Was it because he was not projected as CM candidate for forthcoming Assembly election by the state BJP unit? After all who does not want power? Or is there any exception?

Well, putting aside the speculation, let’s see what Kiren Rijiju has to say on his joining Congress.

Explaining the reason for his joining the Congress, Rijiju said he was determined to serve the people of the state at maximum capacity and after thorough retrospection, he felt Congress was the right platform for the purpose, keeping in mind the political scenario of the country where people’s mandate were in favour of the party after the recent Lok Sabha polls.

-Source Echo of Arunachal

I’m not sure whether there is any connection between serving the people of the state at maximum capacity and changing of party. Or is there any?

Further, he says,

“I don’t see much role as member of BJP to serve the people and the state,” he commented. Stating that his joining was ‘unconditional’, Rijiju said he has decided not to contest in the Assembly polls due in October next.

-Source Echo of Arunachal

Well, Mr. Rijiju, you could have served better to the people of the state if you had become leader of opposition if your party (BJP) is not able to form government in ensuing assembly election rather than changing party. And I would not be surprised if you contest in Congress ticket even though you have said that joining Congress was ‘unconditional’ and that you would refrain from contesting the poll due this October.

This very act of 'Rijiju joining Congress' has once again proved that our politicians has no political ideology or loyalty to any political party.

Thanks Rijiju for disillusioning us.

Vote-not-to vote: The lesser known voting rule; Rule 49-O

One of the reader of Arunachal Diary asked me if I could throw some light on Vote-not-to vote rule or rather Negative/Neutral vote or 'Nota' (None of the above). As it would have been a long reply almost sufficing a single post, I thought of doing a post on itself.

Post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, one lesser known rule of 'The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961', has been doing round in blogosphere and social networking sites and has been a subject of debate. It is the Rule 49-O of 'The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961'-the rule, which as a matter of fact I too was quite unaware of. It was triggered by hoax email that was doing round the web, apparently since past couple of years but which gained momentum post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

So what is Rule 49-O of The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961?

It says that if elector decides not to record his vote, then the elector may do so by notifying the presiding officer and putting signature or thumb impression in Form 17A which exposes the identity of the elector and making them vulnerable to threat and intimidation. It also defeats the purpose of 'secret ballot'.

49-O. Elector deciding not to vote.-If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.

What is so special about this rule that it became a buzzword and a subject of debate in the web?

The hoax email that did round the web, apparently seems to state that 'if the number of people who invoke the right to 49-O is more than the winning candidates vote count, a re-poll is ordered with something amounting to a permanent ban on the previous candidature'. Having disillusioned with the voting system of the country to elect their representative whereby there was no option other than to choose the candidate which was less unappealing than the others; this gave some sense of power to elector to accept or not-to- accept or to reject the candidates altogether by putting 'Negative/Neutral' Vote. It was felt and hoped that by exercising this option, the wronged system can atleast be corrected. And ever since, people have been debating about the viability of this option.

Can a re-poll be ordered by invoking Rule 49-O?

No, with the present Rule 49-O, there is no option that a re-poll could be ordered if the vote count invoking Rule 49-O is greater than the vote count of winning candidates. In other words, it would be much similar to abstaining from exercising your franchise or to make your vote invalid. 49-o.info has succinct information on Rule 49-O. Go through the explanation of rule 49-O here.

So, not until the rule is amended based on EC recommendations and a clause inserted for re-poll and disqualification of candidature, it would be futile and 'waste' of vote to invoke 'Rule 49-O' except to compromise your identity and expose you to the vulnerability of being intimidated.


Suggested readings:

1. SC keeps door open on negative voting.
2. Right of negative voting.

Would the handling of CoSAAP's agitation by the Government affect the ruling Congress Party's prospect in forthcoming Assembly Elections?

Well, the ruling Congress in Arunachal Pradesh has finally decided to prepone the Assembly Elections which was due in October and to go in for polls simultaneously along with Lok Sabha Elections likely to be held during April-May. The decision was taken, apparently, in order to 'save time, energy and money'.

The ruling Congress in Arunachal Pradesh has decided to go in for polls for the 60-member state assembly simultaneously with that for the Lok Sabha to be held either in April or May.

The state cabinet at a meeting here last night endorsed the decision of the Congress Legislature Party and its associate members to prepone the assembly polls, due in October and hold it along with that for the Lok Sabha to "save time, energy and money", government spokesman and state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tako Dabi told the press today.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who is also the CLP leader, and Arunachal PCC President Nabam Tuki would visit Delhi soon to apprise the party high command and the Election Commission of the decision, he said.

(Source PTI)

Now, with present turmoil in the state where the Government's hard stance on it's employee over the implementation of 6^th Pay Commission recommendation has become the subject of criticism from other political parties and employees discontentment, would the decision to pre-pone the 60-seat assembly elections backfire in their face? Would the handling of CoSAAP's agitation by the ruling Congress Government affect their prospect in this assembly election?

Chip in your views through polls below or through the comments.

Would the handling of CoSAAP's agitation by the Government affect the ruling Congress Party's prospect in forthcoming Assembly Elections?

Well, the ruling Congress in Arunachal Pradesh has finally decided to prepone the Assembly Elections which was due in October and to go in for polls simultaneously along with Lok Sabha Elections likely to be held during April-May. The decision was taken, apparently, in order to 'save time, energy and money'.

The ruling Congress in Arunachal Pradesh has decided to go in for polls for the 60-member state assembly simultaneously with that for the Lok Sabha to be held either in April or May.

The state cabinet at a meeting here last night endorsed the decision of the Congress Legislature Party and its associate members to prepone the assembly polls, due in October and hold it along with that for the Lok Sabha to "save time, energy and money", government spokesman and state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tako Dabi told the press today.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who is also the CLP leader, and Arunachal PCC President Nabam Tuki would visit Delhi soon to apprise the party high command and the Election Commission of the decision, he said.

(Source PTI)

Now, with present turmoil in the state where the Government's hard stance on it's employee over the implementation of 6^th Pay Commission recommendation has become the subject of criticism from other political parties and employees discontentment, would the decision to pre-pone the 60-seat assembly elections backfire in their face? Would the handling of CoSAAP's agitation by the ruling Congress Government affect their prospect in this assembly election?

Chip in your views through polls below or through the comments.