SC to hear Congress' plea challenging President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh today

The Congress who branded the President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh as a 'murder of democracy' will challenge the Centre's decision in Supreme Court on Wednesday.

In its petition, the Congress accused the Governor of working at the behest of the Centre to topple its government.

However, the Centre slammed the opposition for challenging the President's decision saying that the government had done its job by saving the people of the state after the Congress Government failed to govern Arunachal Pradesh.

"This is not the first time that the President's rule has been imposed in a state, the Congress had imposed President's rule more than 100 times in independent India. If the Congress challenges President's rule in Arunachal then it amounts to challenging the decision of the President of India. President has applied his wisdom to give assent to Cabinet's recommendation," Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told ANI.

The Congress dubbed the President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh as 'murder of democracy' by the BJP-led Centre and accused it of misusing power.

"Bharatiya Janata Party wants its government everywhere. You can't impose President's rule because people didn't favor you. We will fight in the court and also tell the people how the BJP misuses its power. It is very unfortunate and it is a murder of democracy," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI.

Despite the vehement opposition by the Congress, President Pranab Mukherjee yesterday gave his assent to imposition of central rule in Arunachal Pradesh.

Three days back, Union Cabinet had recommended President's Rule following the political crisis in the state.

In December last year, Arunachal Pradesh was rocked by a political crisis as 21 rebel Congress MLAs joined hands with 11 of BJP and two independents to impeach Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia at a makeshift venue.

The move was termed as illegal and unconstitutional by the Speaker. The rebel group MLAs congregated at a community hall after the state Assembly complex was allegedly sealed by the local administration, and impeached Mr. Rebia in an impromptu session chaired by Deputy Speaker.