Tezu, Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh, April 14, 2024: A massive mega rally in Tezu town witnessed the energetic participation of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Arunachal Election Incharge Ashok Singhal, Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Arunachal CM Pema Khandu, MP Tapir Gao, along with other dignitaries. The rally was held in support of Dr. Mahesh Chai, the BJP candidate for Tezu-Sunpura assembly constituency in the upcoming State Assembly polls.
Thousands of citizens gathered in Tezu to express their support for Tapir Gao, the MP candidate for Arunachal East, and Dr. Mohesh Chai, contesting for the State Assembly from Tezu-Sunpura constituency. The constituency holds significant importance for the Arunachal BJP government, aiming to strengthen its position after a narrow defeat in the 2019 elections.
In 2019, Dr. Mahesh Chai lost by a margin of just 150 votes to incumbent NPP MLA Karikho Kri, locally known as Bhaiya, amidst the diverse population of Tezu, often referred to as Mini India due to its ethnic diversity with a substantial non-tribal population of 70%.
The upcoming elections pose a strong challenge for Dr. Mahesh Chai as he competes against MLA Karikho Kri, who is once again representing the NPP party. The BJP party high command's decision to initially award the ticket to Badang Tayang, only to replace him with Dr. Mahesh Chai later, created some confusion and criticism within the party ranks. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed this issue during the rally, highlighting the chaos caused by MLA Karikho Kri's initial refusal to accept a ticket other than Dr. Mahesh Chai's, which led to a brief disruption in campaign activities.
Despite the ticket drama, the rally in Tezu showcased strong support for Dr. Mahesh Chai and Tapir Gao, reflecting the enthusiasm and determination of the BJP and its supporters to secure victory in the upcoming elections.