The newly appointed Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today invited constructive criticism from Opposition BJP so that the government could function efficiently.
Participating in the discussion in the House after the election of the Speaker, Khandu asked BJP members to work cohesively with the government and pursue with the Centre regarding easy flow of development funds to the state for a prosperous Arunachal.
Responding to various allegations and counter allegations by various members on the months-long political turmoil in the state, Khandu appealed to the House to shed all differences and work as "Team Arunachal" in the interest of the people.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein requested the Opposition bench to point out mistakes of the government and extend constructive suggestions while assuring that equal opportunity would be provided to all the members of the House irrespective of party affiliations.
Former chief minister Nabam Tuki while requesting the members to refrain from digging old issues said, "People have elected us and we should work for their interests. This is the time for reconciliation and reconstruction of a new era without recalling the past.
"We should forget and forgive each other instead of blaming each other and work with renewed zeal shedding all differences for overall development of the state," he said.
Earlier, participating in the discussion Opposition Leader Tamiyo Taga assured to play a constructive role while denying allegations by Congress that BJP was instrumental in dislodging the Nabam Tuki government.
"BJP has nothing to do with the internal matter of the Congress," Taga said, adding Tuki had not sacrificed his post as claimed by Congress members but it was done under compulsion as he was likely to lose the floor test.
Former deputy chief minister Kameng Dolo also called for shedding differences among the members, while senior BJP member Japu Deru asked the government to ensure that development would not take a back seat after 25 months of political instability in the state.
"We have lot of expectations from the present government," he added.
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Former Home minister Tanga Byaling said nobody should be blamed for the political stalemate in the state which was due to the weakness of the elected members.
"The state in the past few months has created a history of sorts and we must rectify ourselves so that such a situation never returns," Byaling added.
Outgoing Speaker Nabam Rebia said the common people's perception on elected leaders was that they never acted according to the dignity of their positions and efforts should be made so that respect for them is restored.
"Let us forgive each other and give up the differences and work jointly in the larger interest of the state," the former speaker added.
Senior Congress MLA Nikh Kamin blamed the ego among the members as the sole factor for the situation in the state, while BJP member Tage Taki asked legislators to look forward without recalling the past.
Taki also requested the treasury bench to appoint the deputy Speaker from the Opposition for a healthy democracy.
Senior Congress member Wangki Lowang appreciated former chief minister Nabam Tuki for his "sacrifice" which helped to bring political turmoil to a logical conclusion.
