7 MLAs defect to BJP ally in Arunachal

ITANAGAR

: In a jolt to the opposition People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), seven of its MLAs joined National People's Party (NPP), which is an ally of BJP in

Arunachal Pradesh

, Manipur and

Meghalaya

.

With this, the strength of PPA has come down to two in the 60-member Arunachal assembly which is ruled by BJP.

The MLAs who defected to NPP are Tanga Byaling, Rajesh Tacho, Tapang Taloh, Nikh Kamin, Tirong Aboh, Dikto Yekar and Mutchu Mithi. Sources said the legislators had met NPP president Conrad Sangma in Meghalaya on July 12 to finalise their entry into the party.