At least seven MlAs, loyalists of the former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, have joined the faction led by newly sworn-in Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, who is going to face a floor test in the House either on Thursday or on Saturday.
The leader of the dissident faction of the Congress leader Kalikho Pul was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of the State on Friday last and he assumed the charge of the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister the same evening. Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa administered the oath of office and secrecy to Pul.
Pul had on February 15 met the Governor along with a delegation of 31 legislators (excluding him) and staked claim to form the Government in the State after the expiry of the Presidents’ Rule, which had been imposed in the State since January 26 this year.
On Friday, President Pranab Mukherjee approved the Union Cabinet’s recommendation for revocation of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh paving the way for formation of the new Government in the State.
A source close to the faction led by Pul said that while one MlA, a loyalist of Tuki joined the faction on Wednesday morning, another six Congress MlAs, also loyalists of Tuki, came and joined the faction led by Pul on Wednesday evening making the strength of the faction 38 in the 60 member House.
With this seven MlAs, Pul has the support of 38 legislators (excluding him) in the 60 member House-including 25 Congress legislators, 11 BJP legislators and two independents. The BJP will lend outside support to the Government to be formed by Pul and will not be a part of the Government.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has termed the ClP meeting on Wednesday as an illegal one and asked all the Congress legislators not to take part in the ClP or face consequences.