One more minister resigns in Arunachal

On Saturday, seven ministers, belonging to the Nyishi community, had resigned from the Ministry. Six more resigned the next day while four followed suit yesterday.

Five independent legislators of the State Assembly, who became associate members of the Arunachal Congress, today withdrew their association with the party, Tikam Sanjay said.

He said that a letter withdrawing their association has been sent to the Chief Minister Gegong Apang, Governor Mata Prasad and Speaker Chowna Mein today, Sanjay said.

The members are: Tingpong Wangham, chairman of theState Planning Board Kahfa Bengia, Minister of State Textile Tinghap Taiju, Minister of State Mines Setong Sena, Deputy Speaker Assembly and Konchon Ngamdam, chairman of the Mineral Development Corporation.

In another development, the breakaway Arunachal Congress M today presented 25 legislators before the Speaker and requested him to formally recognise the party, sources said.

The Speaker heard the legislators, but reserved his ruling. Later, Mein told newspersons he would consult legal experts before issuing any notification.

Of the 25 legislators, 17 were members of the Gegong Apang Ministry. They tendered their resignations in the wake of the recent split in the ruling Arunachal Congress, which had a strength of 45 in the 60-member House before the split.