SC orders status quo in Arunachal

The political crisis in Arunachal Pradesh refuses to blow over with the Union cabinet on Wednesday deciding to recommend revocation of President’s rule in t he northeastern state, only for the Supreme Court to order hours later that status quo be maintained until it examined records on the disqualification of 14 rebel Congress MLAs.

The cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended to the President that central rule be lifted, a day after the top court refused to restrain the state’s governor, JP Rajkhowa, from swearing in a new government. On Monday, 32 MLAs led by Congress dissident Kalikho Pul had called on Rajkhowa to stake claim to form the government. They comprised 19 Congress rebels, 11 BJP legislators and two independent members in the 60-member assembly.

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