In a big setback for the Janata Dal United in Arunachal Pradesh, six of its seven MLAs have joined the ruling BJP, a bulletin issued by the state legislative assembly said. The JD(U) is an ally of the BJP and they together rule the state of Bihar.

JD(U) national president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar downplayed the development and said: “It’s not a big issue. The national executive is meeting on December 26 and 27.” “Right now, we are focusing on our proposed meeting. They have gone their own way,” he said in Patna.

The development arises a day ahead of the announcement of the panchayat and municipal poll results. The JD(U) MLAs who switched sides are Talem Taboh from Rumgong Assembly Constituency, Hayeng Mangfi (Chayang Tajo), Jikke Tako (Tali), Dorjee Wangdi Kharma (Kalaktang), Dongru Siongju (Bomdila) and Kanggong Taku from Mariyang-Geku constituency, the bulletin said.

Last month, the JD(U) had issued show-cause notices to Siongju, Kharma and Taku for “anti-party” activities, and suspended them. The six JD(U) MLAs had earlier elected Talem Taboh as the new Legislature Party leader, allegedly without the knowledge of senior party members. The PPA MLA was also suspended by the regional outfit earlier this month. “We have accepted their letters conveying the intention to join the party,” BJP’s Arunachal Pradesh president B R Waghe said.

Following the switchover, the BJP now has 48 MLAs in the 60-member House, while the JD(U) is left with only one.

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