President Pranab Mukherjee gives assent to central rule in Arunachal Pradesh

The president’s rule is imposed in a state whose constitutional machinery has failed. The matter is sub-judice and government has acted in haste.

Attacking the decision, outgoing Arunachal chief minister Nabam Tuki said they will approach the court as matter is sub-judice. “The matter is sub judice and yet the speed with which the cabinet moved and the final decision has been taken is a clear indication that they have no respect for the highest court of the land”, said Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.

The Union Cabinet’s decision was based on state Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa report.

President’s rule has been imposed in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. There is no indication of past or present breakdown of law and order. “We are doing our job”, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told ANI here.

A no confidence motion moved by BJP MLAs and Independent MLAs was adopted with Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok, who is also a rebel Congressman, in the Chair.

The Congress delegation said the Governor had, by his actions in collusion with the BJP, attempted to destabilise a democratically elected government in Arunachal Pradesh.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also criticised imposition of President’s rule in the state, invoking BJP veteran L.K. Advani’s concern a year ago about “emergency-like conditions” in the country. Arunachal Pradesh has been embroiled in a political crisis for several months. “Prez rule in Arunachal Advaniji was right in saying that there are Emergency-like conditions in the country”, he tweeted.

On Monday, President Pranab Mukherjee had called home minister Rajnath Singh and put some queries to him on the need for the imposition of President’s rule.

In the High Court, Justice Hrishikesh Roy observed prima facie the Governor’s decision to advance the Assembly session to December 16, 2015 for taking up the impeachment proceedings against the Speaker was in violation of Article 174 and 175 of the Constitution.

JD-U leader K C Tyagi said the BJP-led government’s decision has “killed” federalism and threatened that his party will raise the issue in Parliament during the budget session.