Why political adventurism is bad for Arunachal Pradesh

Guwahati, July 13: After a long legal battle and political mudslinging, the Supreme Court today restored the Nabam Tuki led Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh.

While quashing as unconstitutional the governor's decision to advance the legislative assembly session by a month in December 2015, the Court also ruled that decisions taken by the legislative assembly pursuant to the governor's order are unsustainable in law.

To sum it up, the verdict paves the way for Tuki to take over as the Chief Minister and the government headed by Kalikho Pul will need to step down.

While this was clearly a political slugfest between the BJP and the Congress that played out in Arunachal Pradesh, the bigger question one needs to ask if such political adventurism and absurdity was needed in this state.

Just to recap nearly thirds of this state is claimed by China. The part being claimed by China is referred to them as South Tibet and if one may recollect they have protested visits by the Indian Prime Ministers and Presidents to these areas.

No scope for political adventurism in Arunachal:

An official who has served in Arunachal Pradesh tells OneIndia that China very carefully observes the events in this state.

Political turmoil and slugfests do not exactly send out the right message. China would thrive on Indian problems in this state. Such events are bound to lead to protests and there is a chance that the dormant Naga insurgency may come back to life, the officer also adds.

An army official however gives another point of view. A President's rule in the state does help to a certain extent. State governments have often come in the way of the army exercising its duties. However with President's rule the centre will have a firm grip over the state.

However, he also points out that in the long run President's rule is never good. What would be ideal is to have a cordial relationship between the state and the central government.

Former officer with the Research and Analysis Wing, V Balachandran points out that uncertainty is never good not just in Arunachal Pradesh, but in any of the bordering states. In Arunachal which is watched by China all the time, there is a need to have a clear direction.Destablising the administration will do more harm.

When there is uncertainity in the administration the defence machinery is weakened. No doubt there is a bureaucracy but they look up to the political leadership.

If there are problems in this state such as incursions or any other issue then it is the state which needs to act first. China will only fuel to the problem in Arunachal Pradesh.

The dormant Naga insurgency could come back to life and one must remember that China is capable of motivating anyone.

Officials in the Intelligence Bureau too say that working in a bordering state with political instability is always tough.

The central and the state IB need to coordinate at all times and if there is a breakdown this could suffer. Arunachal Pradesh is one of the toughest assignments for us considering the Chinese problem.

The officer also says that political or law and order problems only makes the situation worse. The Chinese observe everything and are looking to create problems.

They will look for leaders who are disgruntled politically and try using them against the system. Hence the coordination between the centre and the state needs to be perfect at all times, the officer also noted.

OneIndia News