Arunachal Pradesh Congress on Sunday accused State Governor JP Rajkhowa of conspiring to help the dissident MlAs form a Government with the support of the BJP without waiting for a decision of the Supreme Court which is hearing petitions challenging imposition of President’s Rule in the State.
Former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and ClP leader Geetartha Darshan Barua alleged that Deputy Speaker TN Thongdok, who is in the dissident camp, has sought the opinion of the State law Department through the Governor if he can function as Deputy Speaker performing the duties of Speaker when President’s Rule is in place in the State. Rajkhowa has sought a report from the law department on the subject.
“We have contended that the Governor is guided by malafide intention and he had taken all decisions keeping in mind vested interests. The Deputy Speaker’s letter to the Governor reflects the nexus between the two. Their final aim is to lodge a Government with the help of BJP without waiting for the Supreme Court order,” Barua alleged.
In his letter, Thondok has contended that although aConstitution Bench is hearing matters related to the session held on December 16 and 17, 2015, the Speaker’s office is vacant as per the Gauhati High Court order dated January 13, 2016. Thongdok has sought to know whether Deputy Speaker performing duties of Speaker continues in office when the Proclamation under Article 356 is operative in the State.
Barua claimed, the Governor through his Deputy Secretary Minik Damin wrote to the Secretary (law) on February 4, 2016 directing him to furnish a reply by February 5.
The query from Thongdok has come at a time when the Supreme Court is hearing the matter related to the Assembly Session having been advanced by the Governor in December 2015 without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
Congress party, which has 47 MlAs in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MlAs and two independents backed the rebels in a bid to upstage the government. The Congress rebels had “impeached” Speaker Nabam Rabia and later voted out Nabam Tuki as Chief Ministers.
The Supreme Court, which is considering pleas against imposition of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh, is hearing on petitions seeking examination of constitutional schemes on the scope of discretionary powers of the Governor.