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Arunachal minister says ‘panchayats where BJP loses won’t get schemes’, Congress seeks resignation

Arunachal elections 2025, BJP panchayat schemes row: The State Election Commission has sought a report on Ojing Tasing’s purported comments from district authorities.

2 min readGuwahatiUpdated: Dec 5, 2025 01:59 PM IST

Arunachal minister ‘says panchayats where BJP loses won’t get schemes’, Congress demands his resignation

Ojing Tasing controversy: Arunachal Pradesh minister Ojing Tasing

Ojing Tasing controversy: Arunachal Pradesh minister Ojing Tasing found himself in the middle of a controversy after purportedly suggesting, while campaigning for the upcoming panchayat elections in the state, that government schemes would not be implemented in panchayats where the BJP loses.

BJP leader Ojing Tasing holds the portfolios of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, among others. On Wednesday, he was in the Lower Dibang Valley district to campaign for the BJP’s candidate for the Roing Zilla Parishad. This is ahead of elections to Panchayati Raj institutions and municipal bodies in the state set to take place on December 15.

A clip from his speech there has since been widely circulated, leading to controversy.

In the clip, he can be purportedly heard saying, “In whichever panchayat segment the BJP loses, schemes will not go. And remember, this is being said by the Panchayat minister. And I do what I say.”

State Election Commission Secretary Taru Talo said that a factual report on the matter has been sought from the Lower Dibang Deputy Commissioner.

“We have not received any complaint so far. We have seen what has been shared on social media only. We have sought a factual report on what actually happened from the DC and are awaiting it,” he said.

Tasing did not respond to calls and messages from The Indian Express.

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The Arunachal Pradesh Congress has called for Tasing’s resignation over the statement. In a statement, the state unit of the Congress called the statement “unconstitutional”.

“Government funds do not belong to any party, they belong to the people. Threatening voters with denial of development if they do not vote for the BJP is a direct attack on democracy, federalism, and the rights of citizens guaranteed by the Constitution of India,” the statement said.

Sukrita Baruah

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More

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