Arunachal CM Pema Khandu urges people to shun ‘money culture’ during elections

 OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called upon the people of the state to join his campaign against’money culture’ during elections in the state. Addressing a public meeting at Yachuli in Lower Subansiri district on Wednesday, the chief minister urged the people to elect leaders ‘based on performance’ and not through money culture in the assembly elections due next year. “We always complain about corruption. But have we ever thought about where it begins? It begins when a voter casts his or her valuable vote in exchange for money. Unfortunately, in our state, the candidate who pumps out the most cash wins the election. This must be stopped,” he said.

Khandu termed money culture as the reason for eligible, capable, and honest people losing out on representing their constituency and working for people’s development. “Where is the time and zest for the representative, who spends crores of rupees to win elections, to think about development? His five years will be spent to recover the spent cash and earn more cash to invest in his next election,” he emphatically said. Khandu made a fervent appeal to youngsters, society leaders, community-based organisations, and religious leaders to set out against this ill so that the coming election is fought on clean and impartial grounds and sincere and honest people make it to the Legislative Assembly.

Talking about corruption, he reiterated his warning, especially to government employees, to refrain from any form of corruption or face action. He regretted that, despite repeated warnings and the government’s best intentions, the incident of paper leakage occurred in one of the recruitment examinations held by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission in recent times. Khandu informed that the state government took action immediately and also met all the demands made by aggrieved aspirants. “We terminated the accused, called in CBI, called in ED, got a designated court to fast track the case, and we have done everything possible. Investigations are not under our control. It is going on. We too hope for a logical conclusion as soon as possible,” he said.

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