ITANAGAR, Jun 11: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Tai Tagak was on Thursday declared elected unopposed to the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Arunachal Pradesh.
The declaration was made by Returning Officer-cum-Secretary of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Tadar Meena, after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations expired at 3 pm.
As Tagak was the sole candidate to file nomination papers for the seat and no withdrawal was made within the stipulated period, he was declared elected in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.
The Certificate of Election was formally handed over to the newly elected Member of Parliament during a ceremony held at the Nokmey Namati Hall of the Legislative Assembly Secretariat here on Thursday afternoon.
The event was attended by Chief Electoral Officer-cum-Observer Pawan Kumar Sain, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu, Assistant Returning Officer Longman Ronrang, and senior leaders and members of the BJP.
Following the declaration, Rajya Sabha member-elect Tai Tagak called on Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongte at his chamber. Congratulating him on his unopposed election to the Upper House of Parliament, the Speaker wished Tagak success in discharging his new responsibilities.
Tagak's election fills the lone seat representing Arunachal Pradesh in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). He will succeed incumbent Rajya Sabha member Nabam Rebia, whose tenure is scheduled to end on June 23 next.
Khandu says Tagak will strengthen Arunachal's voice in Parliament Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated Tagak on his election to the Rajya Sabha and described it as a proud moment for the state. “Having served the state with dedication over the years, he (Tagak) now carries the responsibility of representing the hopes, concerns and aspirations of our people at the national level. His vast experience in public life will undoubtedly strengthen Arunachal Pradesh's voice in Parliament,” Khandu said in a congratulatory message. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Tagak's tenure in the Rajya Sabha would be marked by meaningful contributions towards the progress and development of both Arunachal Pradesh and the nation.