In a major setback for the Congress, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday gave his assent for Central rule in Arunachal Pradesh. The significant development came a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh met the President and briefed him about the reasons for the Central intervention. The Congress has taken the legal battle to the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the petition on Wednesday.
A Home Ministry statement said the President has signed a Proclamation under Article 356(1) of the Constitution, imposing President’s Rule on the State of Arunachal Pradesh and keeping the legislative Assembly of the State in suspended animation with effect from January 26, 2016.
“Taking cognisance of the Constitutional breakdown that has taken place in Arunachal Pradesh as reported by the Governor of the State, the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on January 24, 2016, had recommended to the President of India to issue such a proclamation. In pursuance of this proclamation, all the functions of the Government of the State of Arunachal Pradesh
and all the powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh under the Constitution or under any law in force in that State, which have been assumed by the President by virtue of the said Proclamation, shall, subject to the superintendence, direction and control of the President, will also be exercisable by the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh,” it said.
The SC will hear on January 27 the Congress plea challenging the Cabinet’s decision. The petition seeking urgent hearing was mentioned before Chief Justice TS Thakur, at his residence, who directed the matter to be listed for hearing on Wednesday.
Expressing shock over the development Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Nabam Tuki said, “People are disappointed with the imposition of President’s Rule. We are taking this matter to court and we will seek justice from the SC.”
“Congress party had the majority. Why the other party which has less in numbers trying to destabilise our Government. The court has to decide now. The matter was sub-judice and therefore we will wait for the court’s order,” he said.
Former MoS Home RPN Singh said it is really unfortunate that President’s Rule has been finally imposed and termed the move unconstitutional.
BJP rubbished the Congress allegation with party spokesperson Nalin Kohli saying “murder” of democracy took place when the Congress Government imposed Emergency in India. “Whatever has happened in Arunachal is as per our Constitution,” he said.
Arunachal Pradesh has been rocked by a political crisis since December 16 last year when 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.
The Centre had said the Cabinet was forced to take the decision because of a constitutional breakdown as six months had lapsed between two sessions of the State Assembly. Other major opposition parties have attacked the Centre’s decision saying it amounted to “murder” of democracy while the BJP said the crisis was of Congress’ making because it had lost numbers in the Assembly. The Union Cabinet’s decision was based on State Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa report.
The AP Chief Minister had also written to the President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking their intervention to “uphold” the Constitution in the face of the “unprecedented murder” of democracy and “bypassing” of a democratically- elected Government by the Governor.