)
Six Congress candidates are likely to win unopposed in the April-9 Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh if their nomination papers are found valid during scrutiny tomorrow.
The candidates are Tourism Minister Pema Khandu (Mukto), Rural Development Minister Tanga Byaling (Nacho), Punji Mara (Taliha), Bamang Felix (Nyapin), Mama Natung (Seppa West) and Takam Pario (Palin).
The chances of more Congress candidates winning unopposed are not ruled out as negotiations are going on with nominees of other parties to withdraw their candidature in several seats before the last date of withdrawal on March 26, Congress sources said.
Congress has a legacy of winning seats uncontested in the state in several elections with former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu setting a record consecutive two-time win unopposed from Mukto constituency in Tawang district during 2004 and 2009 assembly polls.
Chief Minister Nabam Tuki won uncontested in 2004 from Sagalee constituency.
In the 2009 assembly elections in the state, Congress won 42 seats while first timer Trinamool Congress and NCP won five seats each, followed by Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) 4, BJP 3 and one Independent.
However, the strength of the Congress rose to 55 later when all the Trinamool and NCP members along with three MLAs of the PPA joined the party.
