Outrage over Prez Rule in Arunachal
Opposition cries murder of democracy
President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday gave his approval for President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh. The north-eastern border state has now come under Central Rule.
Sources said the President signed the proclamation two days after the Union Cabinet held an unscheduled meeting on Sunday to recommend that Arunachal Pradesh be brought under Central Rule.
A statement issued by the Union home ministry said the President has signed a proclamation under Article 356 (1) of the Constitution imposing President’s Rule on Arunachal Pradesh and keeping the Legislative Assembly of the state in suspended animation with effect from January 26, 2016.
Mr Y.S. Dadwal, an IPS officer and former Delhi commissioner of police, and IAS officer G.S. Patnaik have been appointed advisers to Arunachal Pradesh governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa and a formal notification has been issued on Central Rule in the state.
“Taking cognisance of the constitutional breakdown that has taken place in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, as reported by the governor of Arunachal Pradesh, the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on January 24, 2016 had recommended to the President of India to issue such a proclamation,” said the statement.
“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, also be exercisable by the governor of Arunachal Pradesh,” it said.
The President on Tuesday called Union home minister Rajnath Singh and put some queries to him on the need for the imposition of President’s Rule even as the Congress, the ruling party in the state, met him and opposed the Cabinet decision. The Congress urged the President not to give his assent, saying the issue was before the Supreme Court which has decided to hear the Congress petition on Wednesday.
The petition seeking urgent hearing was mentioned before Chief Justice T.S. Thakur at his residence and he directed the matter to be listed for hearing on Wednesday. Other major Opposition parties had also attacked the Centre’s decision, saying it amounted to “murder” of democracy, while the BJP said the crisis was of the Congress’ making because it had lost numbers in the Assembly.
Arunachal Pradesh has been rocked by a political crisis since December 16 last year when 21 rebel Congress MLAs joined hands with 11 of the BJP and two Independents to “impeach” Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia at a makeshift venue, a move branded as “illegal and unconstitutional” by the Speaker.