The former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Nabam Tuki, has tendered his resignation from the position of president of the state's Congress unit, in anticipation of the forthcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections, according to a party official speaking on Saturday.
Tuki conveyed his decision to step down to the All India Congress Committee on Friday, a move precipitated by the recent defection of three party MLAs to the BJP, the official revealed.
"On grounds of moral responsibility, the former chief minister opted to resign, acknowledging his inability to prevent the MLAs from switching allegiance to alternative political entities," elucidated APCC general secretary Gyamar Tana.
Tuki, who represents the Sagalee assembly constituency in the state, has been grappling with the challenge of retaining party cohesion amidst the growing exodus of members to rival factions.
Earlier this month, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Lombo Tayeng, a veteran six-time MLA hailing from Mebo in East Siang district, crossed over to the BJP camp. This defection followed the prior migration of two other Congress stalwarts, Ninong Ering, and Wanglin Lowangdong, to the BJP ranks last month.
