Union Cabinet recommends revocation of President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh

The Union Cabinet today recommended revocation of President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh, after the Supreme Court yesterday ruled out passing an interim order to restrain the Governor J.P.Rajkhowa from swearing in a new government in the crisis-ridden state.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommended to the President to revoke central rule imposed on January 26.

As per media reports, on Monday 31 MLAs, led by rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul, called on the Governor to submit their proposal of forming the next government in Arunachal Pradesh and end the political mess.

He was accompanied by 19 rebel Congress MLAs ,11 BJP legislators and two independent members.
In order to counter the claims, the Congress appealed to the Supreme Court seeking an order that no new government formation be permitted and status quo maintained.

"Now we have heard you. We propose not to pass any order on that," Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar who heads the constitution bench, told senior counsel Kapil Sibal who is representing former chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh Nabam Tuki.

Sibal had told the court that governor could not swear in a person who enjoyed the support of legislators disqualified by then speaker Nabam Rebia.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had urged the apex court not to restrict the Governor from exercising his constitutional authority, and that every action taken by the Governor could be examined by the court.

According to media reports the Home Ministry was waiting for a report from Governor J P Rajkhowa about the latest political situation in the state after 31 MLAs, led by rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul, who had met the Governor on Monday.

The court order came in the course of the hearing of the petitions by the constitution bench questioning the role and discretionary powers of the governor in the ongoing political crisis in the border state.

Congress, which had 47 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers revolted against Tuki's leadership. Eleven BJP MLAs and two independents backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified by the Speaker.

Congress against revocation of President's Rule:

Meanwhile yesterday the Congress urged President Pranab Mukherjee not to accept any recommendation from the government to revoke President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh, arguing that former chief minister Nabam Tuki still had a majority in the Assembly.

A revolt by Congress rebels led by Pul had led to a political crisis in the state that resulted in imposition of President's Rule on January 26. Former chief minister Nabam Tuki reportedly has the support of 26 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.

A memorandum, signed by Congress leaders alleging BJP of purposely attempting to destabilize the legitimately elected government in Arunachal Pradesh was submitted to the President.

Arunachal Media calls for statewide agitation:

Threatening a statewide agitation, media organisations in the politically fragile state have called for a non-cooperation movement against the state government if all the pending bills are not cleared within February 19.

Referring to a meeting held on November 2 last year, when a delegate of media professionals met the then Chief Minister Nabam Tuki who then had assured to clear around 15 per cent of the outstanding dues within a week, the agitators said that nothing has happened since then.

Media reports have mentioned APC (Arunachal Press Club) President Chopa Cheda say that the press bodies are keen on boycotting celebration of Statehood Day and events related to it.

Besides APC, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and Arunachal Electronic Media Association (AEMA) also seconded the movement till full and final settlements of the entire outstanding bills is done.
The organisations have also sought immediate removal of the incumbent Principal Secretary and Secretary (Finance) including the IPR director.

With Agency inputs