President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh amid Opposition Criticism

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jan 25, 2016:  Arunachal Pradesh has been placed under President’s Rule after it was recommended by the cabinet in an unscheduled meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.

 

President Pranab Mukherjee reportedly signed the order last night, at a time seniormost Supreme Court judges are hearing petitions linked to the political crisis in the state.

The development is expected to ignite a political storm with the Congress yesterday vowing to fight it "tooth and nail". Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said: "This is really shocking. The Centre did not consult the state government before taking such a harsh decision."

Sources say the government consulted the Attorney General and decided that the situation in the state needed central intervention.

On Sunday, the Congress had said it would fight the move in court.

"They are destabilizing a border state. This is political intolerance and Modi is the fountainhead of that intolerance," said former union minister Kapil Sibal.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also criticised the Centre’s recommendation in tweets.

The turmoil began in Arunachal Pradesh on December 16 after 21 rebel Congress lawmakers joined hands with 11 BJP and two independent members to "impeach" Speaker Nabam Rebia at a makeshift venue.

The Chief Minister and 26 lawmakers in the 60-member assembly boycotted the session calling it illegal and unconstitutional.

A day later, the rebels and opposition lawmakers gathered at a community hall to "vote out" the Chief Minister and elect his replacement. A no-confidence motion moved by BJP and independent lawmakers was adopted in proceedings chaired by Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok, who is also a rebel.

The Gauhati High Court first put on hold the decisions taken at the rebel "session". After the high court dismissed the petition, the Speaker moved the Supreme Court, which has referred the case to a Constitutional bench.

Nabam Tuki has alleged that Governor Rajkhowa acted as a "BJP agent" and helped the rebel Congress lawmakers by calling an assembly session ahead of time.