Hectic lobbying for Arunachal post
Soon after the death of Dorjee Khandu in a copter crash was confirmed, hectic lobbying started in frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, with powerful lobbies of industrialists and a section of bureaucrats pushing the name of Nabam Tuki, PCC president and PWD minister, for the chief minister’s post.
Congress insiders, however, said that Mr Tuki is the frontrunner for the CM post but home minister Tako Dabi and power minister Jarbom Gamlin are also emerging as strong contenders.
Mr Tuki has been seen as a rival of the late Khandu, who kept him away by giving portfolios. He enjoyed the support of MPs and MLAs who did not get ministries. Mr Tuki belongs to the Nishi tribe, which doesn’t enjoy good rapport with other tribes.
Two Central ministers, Mukul Wasnik and V. Narayanasamy, who were camping in Itanagar to supervise the search and rescue operations, have also been trying to gauge the mood of legislators during their stay in the state.
The party sources said that the possibility of former chief minister and Rajya Sabha member Mukut Mithi grabbing the opportunity cannot be ruled out. He is also believed to have thrown his hat into the ring.
The death of Khandu may spell trouble for the ruling party in the frontier state, as there are many who are expected to jump into the fray. The final decision is expected in a day or two.
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