In Arunachal Pradesh, four newly elected MLAs who had contested on National People’s Party (NPP) tickets have formally joined the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), the oldest indigenous regional party in the state. The switch, though significant in appearance, is being firmly described by all involved as non-political and driven solely by a desire for deeper grassroots engagement. Leading the move is Namgey Tsering, the newly elected MLA from the high-profile 2-Tawang constituency. Addressing the media, Tsering clarified that the decision was not a reflection of dissatisfaction with the NPP or its leadership. “We don’t have any grievances against the NPP. In fact, we are grateful to them for giving us a platform. But we felt that joining PPA—an indigenous, homegrown party—would allow for better communication and administrative coordination within our state,” he said.
Tsering was joined by three other MLAs—Pesi Jilen from 27-Liromoba, Tapi Darang from 38-Pasighat East, and Oni Panyang from 40-Mariyang-Geku. Together, the group announced that their decision was a “collective and conscious” one. Tsering candidly admitted that there were communication gaps within the party framework and expressed regret for the sudden shift. “We sincerely apologise to the NPP high command. This was not an act of rebellion, but one made with the people’s interest in mind,” he added. PPA president and Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek welcomed the new members and echoed a similar sentiment, dismissing any speculation of political conspiracy. “This is not about ambition or party rivalry. I myself have been part of the NPP and respect Conrad Sangma’s leadership. The four MLAs simply felt that their responsibilities would be better served within the framework of an indigenous party. Their intention is to serve the people of Arunachal more effectively,” Vivek said.
Importantly, both the NPP and PPA continue to extend support to the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Pema Khandu. PPA President Vivek made it clear that the alliance with the BJP remains strong and there is no ideological or policy-level conflict emerging from this development. “Our alignment with the BJP remains intact. This move should be seen as a shift in platform, not in principles,” he reiterated.
