Politicos Clash Over Recommendation of Prez Rule in Arunachal

Opposition parties condemned the Union Cabinet’s recommendation to impose President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh.

Speaker Nabam Rebia “voted out” by 33 legislators and dissident Congressman, Khaliko Pul was “elected” chief minister in December last year. (Photo: PTI)

The Union Cabinet on Sunday recommended imposition of President’s Rule in Congress-ruled Arunachal Pradesh, which is rocked by political turmoil, in a move that could have major political ramifications.

The decision drew stinging condemnation from the opposition with Congress alleging democracy was being trampled and that Modi was “fountainhead” of political intolerance while a shocked Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said such a decision in a sensitive border state was “unprecedented” and “unacceptable”.

<p>This is really shocking as the Centre did not consult the state government before taking such a harsh decision. Arunachal is absolutely peaceful without even a single case of law and order breakdown reported in the last month...There is no Constitutional crisis in the state as recommended by the governor. Whatever crisis is there it is his (Governor’s) creation.&nbsp;</p>

<b>Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to <i>PTI</i></b>

Tuki added he enjoyed full support from all the cabinet ministers. Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa recommended central rule without consulting the state cabinet at a time when several cases are sub-judice in the Supreme Court, he said.

Also read: Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Impeached

Meanwhile, the Congress party said the decision reflects “travesty of Constitutional mandate, subjugation of federalism and trampling of democracy”.

<p>Modiji’s double speak of respect for federalism and states being equal part of ‘Team India’ stands exposed. It also shows a scant disregard of the Supreme Court by Modi government, particularly when the entire issue of BJP-engineered coercive defections is being heard by a Constitution Bench.&nbsp;</p>

<b> Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress spokesperson</b>

Surjewala said the Congress would decisively fight “undermining of elected mandate by autocratic attempts of the government”.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed “shock” over the Cabinet decision, saying it is “murder” of the country’s Constitution.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju while defending the centre’s move said it is a constitutional process because the Assembly did not hold its session for more than 6 months.

<p>And this year on January 21, the six months time has completed. President’s Rule could have been imposed immediately but the matter is sub-judice and the decision is pending in the Supreme Court. But the time frame of six months have exceeded. We do not have any role in the recommendation of President’s Rule because it is a constitutional process. </p>

The Congress MLAs who revolted against Tuki, however, welcomed the Cabinet decision with Pasang Dorjee, a legislator and spokesman of the rebel group, saying they were ready to form an alternative government with the support of BJP and others.

Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia. (Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Arunachal Pradesh was rocked by a political crisis on December 16 last year as 21 rebel Congress MLAs joined hands with 11 of BJP and two independents to ‘impeach’ Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia at a makeshift venue, in a move branded as “illegal and unconstitutional” by the Speaker.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)