New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee has today sought the government's clarification of the Union Cabinet's decision to impose President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday.
The President has reportedly asked the Home Ministry to explain the legal and constitutional position behind such a move. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan today afternoon to discuss the same, sources said.
According to sources, the government is expected to cite ‘deteriorating' law and order situation in the state as reasons behind the move. Besides, the ‘unconstitutional' behaviour of the Congress government in the state is also likely to be cited as one of the reasons behind the decision.
The decision to impose Presidents rule in the state follows a political crisis. The government's recommendation also comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court hearing petitions linked to the political crisis in the state.
Trouble in the north-eastern border state began on December 16 last year after 21 rebel Congress lawmakers joined hands with 11 BJP and two independent members to "impeach" Speaker Nabam Rebia at a makeshift venue. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and the 26 lawmakers on his side in the 60-member assembly boycotted the session calling it illegal and unconstitutional.
A day later, the rebels and opposition lawmakers gathered at a hotel to "vote out" the Chief Minister and elect his replacement. A no-confidence motion moved by BJP and independent lawmakers was adopted in proceedings chaired by Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok, who is also a rebel.
The Congress, meanwhile, has said it will move court to challenge the Centre's decision. Former union minister Kapil Sibal has alleged that the Prime Minister, (BJP chief) Amit Shah and the RSS are involved in the "conspiracy to destabilise Arunachal Pradesh."
A Congress delegation including Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki is also expected to meet the President this evening. The Congress has alleged that Governor JP Rajkhowa acted as a "BJP agent" and helped its rebel lawmakers by calling an assembly session a month ahead of time.
The Gauhati High Court had earlier put on hold the decisions taken at the rebel "session". After the High Court dismissed the Speaker's petition, he moved the Supreme Court, which has referred the case to a Constitution bench.
