AMN /
Dissident Congress MLA Kalikho Pul today took oath as new chief minister Arunachal Pradesh. Governor JP Rajkhowa administered him oath of office and secrecy. The swearing in ceremony took place at Raj Bhawan. BJP MLAs are giving outside support to the new government led by Mr Pul.
He has the support of 18 Congress rebels, 11 BJP and 2 independent MLAs. Earlier, President Pranab Mukherjee gave his approval to the Union Cabinet’s recommendation for revocation of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh.
The President’s nod came after the last ditch effort of Congress leader and deposed Chief Minister Nabam Tuki seeking an interim direction that his party be allowed to go for a floor test in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly to prove majority was rejected by the Supreme Court.
Earlier, President’s Rule has been lifted in Arunachal Pradesh paving the way for government formation in the state. President Pranab Mukherjee today gave his assent in this regard. Yesterday, the Supreme Court had vacated its stay order on revocation of President’s Rule. Two days back, Union Cabinet had recommended revocation of President’s Rule which was imposed in On 26th of last month.
The Supreme Court rejected the plea of Congress leaders seeking an interim direction that the party be allowed to go in for a floor test in the Assembly to prove majority.
A five Judge Bench said, this may be a possible manner of dealing with the issue, but the matter is still pending before it and it has not yet delivered decision. The observation of the bench, came on an oral plea of senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing Congress leaders of the state that the party enjoyed majority and a direction be issued for holding floor test in the assembly.
On Monday, 32 MLAs, led by Congress dissident Kalikho Pul, called on the Governor J P Rajkhowa to stake claim for forming the next government. The revolt by Congress dissidents led by Mr.Pul led to a political crisis in the state that finally led to imposition of President’s Rule.