Arunachal governor JP Rajkhowa, who got a rap from the apex court for his actions leading to the Tuki government’s fall, was reportedly in Guwahati, the hotbed of action where Pul brought his flock of Congress dissidents to guard against poaching.
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Tuki said what happened was unfortunate.
Asserting that numerical strength was very important in democracy, it said the current Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has the number to run the government and not his predecessor Nabam Tuki, whose government has been revived by the judgement.
The officiating Arunachal Pradesh Governor, Tathagata Ray, asked Mr Tuki to prove his majority on the floor of the assembly on Saturday.
Dismissed Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul today claimed support of majority MLAs of the state.
Roy further emphasised that the conduct of the proceedings, including the videography in the house should strictly follow the principles laid down by Supreme Court in its order of May 6 regarding imposition of President s Rule in Uttarakhand (SLP C 11567/2016) Union of India Vs Harish Chandra Singh Rawat, a Raj Bhawan release said.
The numbers in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly, he said, were with Pul and not Tuki.
Speaker Nabam Rebia, who too attended office on Thursday, said the assembly needs at least 10-15 days to summon a session. I have been informed that the Governor has requested Nabam Tuki to take the floor test by July 16.
The Congress, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled.
To a question whether he would sacrifice his post if the Congress leadership decides so, Tuki categorically stated that he would abide by whatever decision the party took.
“The SC judgement also did not restore Tuki as CM”.
The communique said in order to ensure peaceful proceedings, the floor test should be videographed throughout and the majority proved by division and not by voice vote. “However, with the SC verdict, I appeal all of them to return to the party fold”, Tuki said. As of now I have the support of 43 legislators (including he himself). Pul, addressing a press conference here, also claimed that he has majority in the assembly and will prove it on the floor of the house when required. The 43 includes 30 MLAs of the Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), 11 BJP legislators and two Independents.
The legal defeats of the central government have also reaffirmed the role and authority of the constitutional courts, which have underscored forcefully the significance of democratically elected governments in states at a time when a different party has a brute majority at the Centre.
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Congress sources said the party could call the legislature party meeting ahead of the vote of confidence, and absent lawmakers might face disqualification.
