Itanagar, Feb 25 (Reporter) In a major setback to the opposition Congress in Arunachal Pradesh, two of its senior leaders and party MLAs - Ninong Ering and Wanglin Lowangdong on Sunday joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming general elections 2024. Alongside them, two of the lawmakers from the National People’s Party (NPP) – Mutchu Mithi and Gokar Basar – have shifted their loyalty to the Saffron party as well. They were ‘welcomed’ into the party fold by Arunachal Pradesh BJP president Biyuram Wahge, senior leader and Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Lok Sabha election in-charge of Arunachal Pradesh cum Assam Minister Ashok Singhal in a function held at the party’s head office here. With today’s ‘development’, the total strength of the BJP mounted to 53 in the 60-member Assembly, while the opposition Congress and the NPP have been left with two members each. There are three Independent MLAs in the House who are extending outside support to the Khandu government. CM Khandu, while warmly welcoming the Congress MLAs Ering and Lowangdong, and NPP’s Mutchu Mithi (former State president of NPP) and Gokar Basar in the BJP Arunachal Pradesh family, said that “their joining of party is a testament to their faith in the principles of good governance championed by PM Narendra Modi. PM's transformative leadership, centered around the motto 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas', has brought about positive change across the country. Their joining of the party will further fortify our base in their respective constituencies and Arunachal Pradesh….Together, we look forward to continuing our commitment to the principles of inclusive development and people-centric welfare,” Khandu stated in a social media post. Greeting them into the party fold, Deputy CM Chowna Mein said that their joining in the BJP has “further emboldened the party in its efforts toward shaping a stronger and prosperous Arunachal Pradesh”...////...