Itanagar: Former Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Neelam Taram and three other Congress leaders today (Jan 30, 2004) joined the ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party).

Addressing reporters at the State headquarter of BJP, Taram said he resigned from Congress and joined BJP as the party under the leadership of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee was taking the country on the path of rapid development.

"What Congress could not achieve in 50 years, BJP under Vajpayee's leadership could achieve much more in six years," he said.

Taram said that BJP was a secular party and had dropped "hindutva" agenda.

"Non-Hindus including Christians should not be apprehensive about the party," he asserted and called upon people of the State to support BJP.

Taram recalled that he had unsuccessfully contested from Ziro Assembly constituency on BJP ticket once in 1984, "despite being a Christian" to emphasise BJP's secular identity.

Listing the "achievements" of Vajpayee Government, he said besides economic development and feel-good factor, Vajpayee effected change in the attitude of hostile neighbours "from foes to friends".

Besides Taram, the three other Congress leaders who joined BJP are Tame Phassang, a former member of ST/SC (Scheduled Tribe/ Scheduled Caste) national commission of AICC (All India Congress Committee), Nick Kamin, treasurer of State unit of Congress and former president of Youth Congress in the State and Likha Maji, a prominent Youth Congress leader.