In the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences and Food Processing Industries, is in the lead from Arunachal Pradesh’s West constituency.
Initial results indicate that Rijiju, representing the BJP, is ahead of his closest rival, Nabam Tuki from the Congress party, by a margin of 55,731 votes, as reported by the Election Commission of India (ECI) at 10:45 am. This comes as a continuation of Rijiju’s previous victory in 2019, where he secured a significant vote margin over Tuki.
Aside from Rijiju and Tuki, several other candidates contested for the Arunachal West seat. Notable among them are Toko Sheetal from the Gana Suraksha Party (GSP), Ruhi Tangung representing Janata Dal (United), and independent candidates Bimpak Siga, Leki Norbu, Techi Rana, and Tania June.
The constituency, comprising 33 scheduled tribe reserved areas, witnessed a voter turnout of 70.11% during the polling held on April 19.
Rijiju’s Political Journey
A three-time Member of Parliament, Rijiju has previously served as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Youth Affairs and Sports. He later assumed the portfolio of the Law Ministry, where he had several noteworthy engagements with the judiciary.
In November 2022, Rijiju expressed concerns at the India Today conclave, alleging favoritism in judicial appointments and promotions. Moreover, during discussions on legalizing same-sex marriages in April 2023, he advocated for public consensus over judicial rulings on crucial matters like marriage.
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In May 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed Arjun Ram Meghwal as the new Minister of Law and Justice, relocating Rijiju to the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Since then, Rijiju has been actively involved in initiatives to enhance meteorological services and promote environmental awareness.
Notably, he inaugurated four new meteorological centers and introduced a website called ‘Green Alerts’ to disseminate weather-related information for the benefit of the agricultural community.
Rijiju has set ambitious goals for his tenure in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, including the establishment of Maitri-II, India’s proposed research station in Antarctica, by 2029. With his focus on advancing scientific research and fostering sustainable practices, Rijiju aims to contribute significantly to India’s development in the field of earth sciences.
As the Lok Sabha elections unfold across the country, Rijiju’s leadership in Arunachal Pradesh’s West constituency reflects the BJP’s continued stronghold in the region.
With his experience and vision, Rijiju endeavors to not only serve his constituents but also contribute to India’s progress in critical areas such as earth sciences and environmental conservation.
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