Bypolls in Northeast: Kiren Rijiju appeals to people to vote for BJP

Itanagar: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has appealed to the people to vote BJP to victory in the February 13 by-election to Liromoba assembly seat in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Addressing two election rallies at Darak and Kamba circles on Sunday in support of party candidate Bai Gadi, Rijiju maintained that winning of the BJP candidate would send a strong message to the Centre, party sources said here on Monday. [caption id=“attachment_2088351” align=“alignleft” width=“380” class=" “]  Kiren Rijiju. Image courtesy: PIB[/caption] Calling for change and faster development, the minister said the Centre had a soft corner for the state and several major projects were in pipeline. Rijiju also addressed two election rallies at Liromoba and Yomcha on Saturday. Meanwhile, the party in a communiqué on Monday blamed the Congress for allegedly conspiring to dismantle the pandal at Kamba which was constructed for an election rally to be addressed by Rijiju on Saturday. “Participation in democratic process is a fundamental right of every citizen and election campaign is part and parcel of the process. Preventing or trying to prevent someone from campaign is a corrupt electoral practice”, the communique said. “The supporters of rival candidates or the party have committed such an electoral offence for which the Chief Electoral Officer should take action on the party candidate,” the communiqué said. “It is also a matter of concern that there has been a breach of law and order problem and security lapses. Therefore, all those who are connected with covering of security for the smooth election campaign of the union minister should be taken to task for their lapses in providing full proof arrangement,” the party said. “The star campaigners of the party should be provided all necessary security in their place of stay and venues of rally,” it added. PTI