Tasks before Khandu

The people of Arunachal Pradesh must be congratulated for having elected a stable government in the recent state assembly election that was held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election. The BJP has won an absolute majority by winning in 41 of the 60 constituencies, thus giving a clear mandate to Pema Khandu, who had three years ago shifted majority of the Congress legislators in the state to the BJP after having camped in the People’s Party of Arunachal for a few days in between. For Pema Khandu, it was indeed a thumping victory, especially after a major flare-up that had hit the state capital only a few days before the election was announced, the issue being granting land rights to certain non-Arunachali communities residing for a long time in the state. There was also a lot of mud-slinging between a section of the BJP and Congress leaders, while a number of sitting BJP legislators including a few powerful ministers were denied tickets by the ruling party for allegedly having some secret role in the violence. While the BJP won 41 seats, of the remaining seats the Janata Dal (United) won seven seats, the National People’s Party (NPP) won five, the Congress party four, the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) one and Independents two. Altogether 20 members have been elected for the first time. Of them, eleven are from the BJP, six from the Janata Dal (United), two from the National People’s Party (NPP) and one is an Independent. Though it is going to be a stable government, the newly-elected BJP government of Pema Khandu will, however, have to face certain major challenges. These include speedy implementation of a large number of infrastructure development projects like the Trans-Arunachal Highway, the border road network, the new road link along the foothills, and a large number of crucial bridges across several Himalayan rivers. Likewise, Pema Khandu will have to also keep an eye on proper implementation of various government-sponsored welfare schemes, so that no political leader, middleman, contractor and government officer dares to siphon off funds meant for the common people. Arunachal Pradesh has a history of large-scale corruption especially in Public Distribution System, public works, rural development and so on. The state also has a history of a former chief minister getting arrested for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore PDS scandal. Pema Khandu also has to be serious about creating jobs and employment opportunities for the increasing number of educated youth of the state. Moreover, another aspect he has to look into on a priority is the development of areas bordering China. Arunachal Pradesh has in the past few years witnessed large-scale migration of the border population to the towns and cities due to lack of opportunities and poor implementation of government welfare schemes. Over and above all that, he has to remain alert against defection of legislators from his party to other parties, so that the people of the state do not suffer due to instability as had happened in the not-so-distant past.