The apex court quashes all decisions taken by the Governor, resulting in the fall of Congress government in January, by terming them ‘offensive’
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul and BJP leader Ram Lal during the inaugural conclave of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in Guwahati yesterday.
New Delhi: In a major embarrassment to BJP and the Centre, the Supreme Court yesterday ordered restoration of the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh by quashing all the decisions taken by Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa that had precipitated its fall in January, holding them ‘violative’ of the Constitution. The apex court’s verdict came as a shot in the arm for the Congress, paving the way for the return of its dismissed government headed by Nabam Tuki.
In hushed tones: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul and BJP leader Ram Lal during the inaugural conclave of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in Guwahati yesterday. pic/PTi
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In a separate judgement concurring with others in the five-judge bench, Justice Madan B Lokur also set aside the order of the Assembly Deputy Speaker who had quashed the Speaker’s decision to disqualify 14 rebel Congress MLAs on December 15 last year.
As of December 15 last year, Congress had 47 MLAs in a House of 60 with BJP 11 and Independents two. Of the 47 Congress MLAs, 14 were disqualified by the Speaker. Justice Lokur held that the Governor’s order of December 9 as ‘unconstitutional’.
Tuki welcomes order
Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki yesterday welcomed the SC’s verdict. Tuki, who is presently camping in the national capital, yesterday said that he has full faith in the judiciary. “I have full faith in the judiciary and would act as per the constitutional provisions,” he said, adding that as per court’s verdict, the decision of former Governor to prepone the Assembly session was ‘unconstitutional’ and the status of his government would remain unchanged.
Strange verdict: BJP
Appearing critical of the apex court’s verdict, the BJP yesterday termed its is a ‘very strange order’ that the leader with the majority support is being asked to sit in the opposition and also wondered if the verdict ‘weakens’ the democratic spirit.
“This is a very strange order and that is why it is being studied. The person who has the majority, who is running the government presently is being asked to be in the opposition,” party national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.
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