Itanagar, July 17: Seven Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Arunachal has defected from the opposition People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) giving a boost to Pema Khandu-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The defected MLA’s joined The National People’s Party (NPP), an ally of BJP in Arunachal Pradesh. The NPP welcomed the seven MLA’s describing it as a positive development. State unit chief Gicho Kabak told Hindustan Times, “We have already submitted their names to the assembly secretariat.”

The PPA is now left with only two MLA’s. In the assembly of 60 members the BJP have 48 members. Two independent members are also supporting the BJP. Now with seven members joining the NPP, the total strength of non-Congress North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) has reached to 57 in the assembly. With seven MLAs, NPP now has become important member of the alliance.

“A decision on the new NPP MLAs joining the Pema Khandu government will be taken after a meeting between Khandu, NPP chief Conrad Sangma and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) coordinator Himanta Biswa Sarma soon,”reported Hindustan Times quoting Kabak as saying. The NPP has a strong hold in Manipur where four of its MLAs are in N Biren Singh’s Cabinet. NPP MLA Yumnam Joykumar Singh is deputy chief minister.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2018 06:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).