PM has every right to campaign in Arunachal: Pranab

Kolkata, Oct 14 (PTI) Rejecting China's claims over
Arunachal Pradesh, India Wednesday made it clear that the
state is an integral part of the country and its Prime
Minister has every right to visit it.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and the
just-concluded Assembly election has proved that it was held
under the Indian Constitution," Indian Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee told a press conference at West Bengal Pradesh
Congress Committee headquarters here in state capital Kolkata
after a party state secretariat meeting.

Mukherjee said that just a few months back people of the
state had sent their representatives to Parliament under the
Indian constitution.

It was therefore appropriate that the Prime Minister of
the country should visit Arunachal Pradesh as leader of the
Congress party for election campaign, he said.

"I too visited Arunachal Pradesh for campaigning and we
consider it as our legitimate right. It is a proper action on
our part," Mukherjee emphasised.

The minister was reacting to Beijing's objection and
protest over the prime minister's recent visit to Arunachal
Pradesh. PTI PKC
ANU