Congress warns Arunachal MLAs not to take part in 'illegal' confidence vote

Congress General Secretary in charge of North Eastern States, V. Narayanasamy, has in a letter sent to each Congress MLA in Arunachal Pradesh, directed and emphatically informed them not to attend the "illegally called meeting" by Kalikho Pul, failing which, consequences will follow.

The letter of February 24, which has appeared on the All India Congress Committee (AICC) website www.aicc.org.in. reads as follows:

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To

Arunachal Pradesh

Dear MLA,

"You are aware that two important cases pertaining to the Pre-poning of the Sixth Assembly Session by the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and the disqualification of 14 MLAs are sub judice and pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court and Guwahati High Court respectively.

The Governor's Orders have been challenged by Shri Nabam Rebia , Hon'ble Speaker vide SLP (c) 1259-60 in Supreme Court and the Judgement has already been reserved and likely to be delivered soon. This matter has serious constitutional ramifications and will set a precedent in the constitutional history of India. In the Guwahati High Court, the Disqualification matter vide W.P -9/2016 will also be disposed within the next ten days.

The Centre upon the recommendation of the Governor revoked the President's Rule and installed a Government in Arunachal Pradesh in an unconstitutional and illegal manner, with total disregard for the Judiciary of the land. Shri Kalikho Pul, a dissident MLA who is himself under disqualification was sworn in as Chief Minister on 19th February, 2015 overriding all conventions of appointing a new Government.

In the meanwhile, it is learnt that Shri Kalikho Pul has called a CLP Meeting at 5 p.m. on 24.02.2016 in CM's Conference Hall, Itanagar. Shri Pul was not elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party and also not recognized by the Party leadership. He has no authority whatsoever, under the rules of the Congress Party to convene the CLP Meeting.

Therefore, you are hereby directed and emphatically informed them not to attend the "illegally called meeting" by Kalikho Pul, failing which, consequences will follow."

As per existing norms and guidelines, only the president of a political party can issue a whip or issue an instruction in this regard to a Chief Whip of the state unit.

A whip is the instruction issued by a political party to vote according to the party line in a legislature. Violation of it can lead to expulsion under the Anti Defection Act. There are three types of whips that can be issued:-

.A one-line whip is non-binding, and merely serves to inform the members of the vote.

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.A two-line whip seeks attendance in the legislature during the vote.

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.A three-line whip is a clear-cut directive, to be present in the legislature during the vote and cast vote according to the party line. Violation of the whip could lead to the member's expulsion from the House.

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In India, under the anti-defection law, a three-line whip can be violated only by more than one-third of a party's strength in the legislature.