Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Jun 4: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday ended days of speculation over its nominee for Arunachal Pradesh’s lone Rajya Sabha seat by naming former state BJP president and incumbent adviser to the chief minister, Tai Tagak, as its candidate.
The party formally announced Tagak’s candidature, recognising his three decades of association with the BJP and his role in strengthening the organisation in the state.
Born on July 1, 1970, in Peel village in Sangram circle of Kurung Kumey district, Tagak completed his schooling at Government Higher Secondary School, Itanagar. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from Government Degree College (now Dera Natung Government College), Itanagar, and a master’s degree in political science from Arunachal University (now Rajiv Gandhi University). He later pursued legal studies at JB Law College, Guwahati.
Before entering full-time politics, Tagak served as a government school teacher and also worked with All India Radio, Itanagar, in various capacities. He is currently a member of the State-Level Core Committee on Unsung Heroes constituted under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative.
Tagak’s political journey began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in 1983. He joined the BJP as a primary member on 9 September, 1995, and became an active member in 2003 after relinquishing his organisational responsibilities in the Sangh.
Over the years, he has held several key positions in the party, including state general secretary, general secretary (organisation), spokesperson, chief spokesperson, state BJP president, and member of the State Core Group. He played a significant role in election management, organisational expansion, campaign coordination, and political strategy for the BJP in Arunachal.
Tagak contested the 2004 Assembly election from the Nyapin constituency as a BJP candidate and remained loyal to the party during a period when several political leaders shifted allegiance to the Congress.
During his tenure as state BJP president, the party registered a major political breakthrough in Arunachal Pradesh in the 2014 elections, winning 11 Assembly seats and the Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP’s vote share in the state also increased substantially from around 5 percent in 2009 to 31 percent in 2014.
He also spearheaded the ‘Sarhad Ko Pranam Yatra’ between September 2013 and January 2014, aimed at reaching out to residents of border villages, understanding their developmental concerns, and highlighting issues related to connectivity and infrastructure in frontier areas.
Reacting to his nomination, Tagak expressed gratitude to the party leadership and grassroots workers.
“This is the affection and support of dedicated karyakartas. I am deeply honoured and humbled by this recognition,” he said.
“After entering Parliament, I will do my best to work for the greater interests of Arunachal Pradesh and the country. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein for reposing faith in me,” he added.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated Tagak on his nomination, describing it as a fitting recognition of decades of commitment to the party.
“His nomination is a fitting recognition of decades of unwavering commitment to the organisation and its ideals. He stood firm during difficult times, when many hesitated to be associated with the BJP, and worked tirelessly at the grassroots level to strengthen the party across the state,” Khandu said.
“This honour reflects his loyalty, perseverance, and dedication to the cause. I wish him every success in representing Arunachal Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also congratulated Tagak, stating that the nomination is a well-deserved recognition of his dedicated service and contribution to strengthening the BJP in Arunachal.
“I am confident that his vast experience and deep understanding of the aspirations of our people will enable him to effectively represent Arunachal Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha,” Mein said.
