JD (U) Gets Recognition as State Party in Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar, June 8, 2019:

The Janata Dal (United), also known as JD (U), headed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has become a recognised state party in Arunachal Pradesh.

The Election Commission of India in a statement issued on Friday has said, “The Janata Dal (United) is now a recognised state party in the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Bihar.”

The JD (U) won seven seats in the 60-member assembly of Arunachal Pradesh. BJP had bagged 41 seats and secured a majority.

The party will also be able to use its symbol, arrow, in Arunachal Pradesh, the statement said.

The JD (U) shares power with the BJP and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party in Bihar. After its success in Arunachal Pradesh, JD (U) national general secretary K C Tyagi had said, “The tally entitles us to the status of the main opposition party. But we will offer full support to the BJP government" in that state.

“Even if we get the opposition party status, we will be a friendly opposition,” Tyagi had made it clear.

The election was held in a single phase on 11th April for 60 members of the legislative assemblies.

The number of assembly constituencies in the state was increased from 30 to 60 in the year 1987. Of the 60 Assembly seats, 59 are reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates and one for General candidates.

Arunachal Pradesh has strategic importance when it comes to its location. It not only shares its borders with two northeastern states of India - Nagaland and Assam - but also with countries such as China (in the North), Myanmar (in the East), and Bhutan (in the West).

As per 2011 Census, the population of the state is 1,383,727; the sex ratio is 938 females per 1000 males, and the literacy rate is 65.38% (766,005 literate persons). About 317,369 people live in urban areas (22.94% of total population), among which 167,901 are males and 149,468 are females. 1,066,358 people live in rural Arunachal Pradesh (77.06% of total population), among which 546,011 are males and 520,347 are females.

According to the 2001 Census, the religious demography of the state includes 379,935 Hindus (34.6%), 337,399 others (mainly, Donyi-Polo) (30.7%), 205,548 Christians (18.7%), 143,028 Buddhists (13%), 20,675 Muslims (1.9%), 1,865 Sikhs (0.1%), and 216 Jains (less than 0.1%). Also, 705,158 tribals live in Arunachal Pradesh.

Among the 101 recognized tribes in the state, 37 have animist majority, 23 have Christian majority, 17 have Buddhist majority, 15 have Hindu majority, and 8 are multi-faith.

Keep following Inside Northeast on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram. Do download our app from the Google Playstore for the latest news updates, views, and entertainment on the go. We deliver the Northeast.