Guwahati/Itanagar, Feb. 8: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee is all set to move the Election Commission seeking simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state.

The Congress’ contention is that simultaneous elections would not only save the exchequer “valuable time and money” but would also not affect development activities.

PCC spokesperson Habung Payeng said in Guwahati on Saturday that a decision to this effect had been taken at a meeting of party MLAs and senior leaders a couple of days back.

The other reason for seeking simultaneous polls was to give the “manipulative” BJP-led state government an opportunity to seek people’s mandate.

Elections to the 60-member state Assembly is due in September-October while the elections to the Lok Sabha, which was dissolved on Friday, would be held most likely by April. Arunachal Pradesh has two Lok Sabha seats.

Payeng said, “Since the BJP leadership — L.K. Advani and Vankaiah Naidu — have themselves gone on record saying states where Assembly polls were scheduled in 2004 should go for simultaneous polls, the state BJP should have no problems seeking the dissolution of the Assembly. On our own we will move the Election Commission. The verdict of the voters will make clear as to who the people are with.”

“Moreover, a cash-strapped state like Arunachal Pradesh cannot afford two polls within a few months. It will not only cost the exchequer dear but would also take its toll on the manpower, which will be engaged in the election process almost throughout the year. Everything would come to a virtual standstill. Therefore, it would make sense to go in for simultaneous polls,” the spokesperson said.

The Congress has already got into election mode, having made plans to embarrass the Apang government in the two-day Assembly session from February 16.

Congress leaders Tako Dabi, Takam Sanjoy, Nabam Tuki, Chowna Mein, T.C. Teli Yari Dulom, Niani Natung, Padi Richo and Hari Notung have criticised the Apang government for having been taken for a ride by deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, who neither gave any financial package nor helped solve problems like the Chakma-Hajong issue.