Janata Dal (United) to fight Assembly polls

A Correspondent

ITANAGAR: The Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday announced that it will participate in the ensuing Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly election with the motto of 'Development with Justice'.

Addressing reporters here, JDU general secretary in-charge of North-east, Afaque Ahmad Khan, said the party national executive meeting was held at Patna on March 4 where it was decided to expand the party base in Arunachal Pradesh.

Khan said many of the leaders from the State have made contact with the party leadership to participate in the ensuing Assembly election. "Though many have approached us but we will look into the credential of each candidate," he said adding that when time comes it will be at the public domain.

When questioned on any pre and post alliance in the election, Khan refused to comment. He also informed that he along with the chairman of North East Executive Council (NEC)-JDU, NSN Lotha is in the State to attend the two-day membership drive and work on policy making for the elections.

Meanwhile, Lotha said it was his party that was the first to oppose the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). We believe in secularism and the bill was anti-secular, thus the party president and Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar opposed it, he said.

Lotha also condemned the Arunachal Pradesh government for 'exploiting the sentiments of the people of the State' on the PRC issue.

"We seriously consider it as a crime to the indigenous people; today you issue an order and the next day you again revoke it after taking a heavy toll on human lives," he said.

He added that although the JDU is national in outlook, we are totally regional in approach. "Regional issues are considered as top priority in our party. If given a chance to be in power in the State, the JDU will ensure that Arunachal Pradesh is ruled and run by its own people", he added.

Also read: Arunachal news