Rebel Congress leader Kalaikho Pul has taken oath as the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh. The swearing-in took place after President’s rule was revoked in the state on Friday evening.
Pul, hailing from Hawai in Anjaw district of the northeastern border state, was finance minister in Chief Minister Gegong Apang’s cabinet from 2003 until 2007.
Immediately after being sworn-in, Pul had said, “I will work with Nabam Tuki (former chief minister). Disagreeing is a part of democracy. We will expand our cabinet after discussing with our colleagues”.
The decision to lift President’s rule had come a day after Supreme Court paved the way for a new government to be formed in the state.
On Thursday, the apex court had expressed satisfaction with the Gauhati High Court order of putting a stay on disqualification of 14 rebel Congress MLAs.
Prima facie we are not inclined to interfere with the High Court order, we are satisfied with it. Having seen the original records which are put before us by the Registrar General of Gauhati High Court, the order of 7 January calls for no interference at this stage. Accordingly, the ad-interim order passed is vacated.Five-judge Constitution Bench
On Monday, 31 MLAs, led by Congress dissident Kalikho Pul, called on the Governor to stake the claim for forming the next government in the politically fragile state. This led the Congress to move court seeking no new government formation be permitted in the state and status quo be maintained.
However, the apex court refused to restrain the Governor from swearing in a new government.
Following that, on Wednesday, the union cabinet had recommended revoking President’s rule.
The state had been experiencing a political crisis for months now, ever since a group of rebel Congress MLAs decided to “vote out” the Nabam Tuki government.
Also on The Quint:
How Delhi Shot Itself in the Foot in Arunachal Pradesh
DeQoded: Why Arunachal Pradesh Is Staring at President’s Rule
(With agency inputs)
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