In a major political upset, the regional People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) on Saturday emerged victorious in the Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) elections, dislodging the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the civic body.
The results, declared by the Municipal Returning Officer, showed a clear edge for the PPA, which won five of the eight wards, securing a majority in the Council.
According to the official results, PPA candidates Tagom Padung (Ward 1), Mem Tamut (Ward 2), Oyon Pabin (Ward 3), Kamin Lego (Ward 4), and Rahul Tamuk (Ward 5) registered victories with varying margins.
In contrast, the BJP managed to win two seats, with Mary Gao (Ward 6) and Pema Dolma Moyong (Ward 7) emerging successful, while Ward 8 was won by Independent candidate Oni Tamuk.
Of the victorious candidates, PPA’s Tagom Padung won the election with the highest margin of 361 votes, while BJP’s Mary Gao winning margin is 24, the lowest.
The civic body poll outcome is being seen as a significant setback for the BJP in Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district and the hometown of BJP State President Kaling Moyong, and a morale booster for the PPA ahead of future political contests.
Party supporters celebrated the victory, terming it a mandate for local leadership and grassroots issues. Authorities have appealed for calm and orderly conduct following the declaration of results.
In Itanagar, counting of votes for the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) election is underway amid tight security arrangements. Counting of ballots for the Panchayat Raj Institutions across the state is also in progress.
Elections for the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) and Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) were conducted on December 15 last.