Supreme Court restores Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh

NEW DELHI: In a landmark judgment on Wednesday, the Supreme Court said thatArunachal Pradesh governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa’s decision advancing session of the state assembly by a month is violative of the Constitution and is liable to be quashed.

The SC also directed the status quo ante in Arunachal Pradesh as it prevailed on December 15, 2015.

The SC said all steps and decision taken by the legislative assembly pursuant to governor’s December 9, 2015 order are unsustainable and liable to be quashed.

The SC ruling has paved the way for restoration of the Congress government in the state.

The apex court had said the verdict in this case will not only have its effect on Arunachal Pradesh, but affect every state.

The bench had segregated two other sets of petitions which were filed against the subsequent promulgation of President’s Rule in the state and its revocation thereafter, which had led to the formation of a new government.

Just before the apex court had reserved its verdict on February 20, rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul was sworn in as the ninth chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh with the support of 18 dissident Congress MLAs and two independents and 11 BJP MLAs who gave outside support.

Congress party, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MLAs backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified.