Centre defying SC judgement on Arunachal through Governor: Congress

The Congress on Friday accused the central government of defying the Supreme Court's decision to restore the ousted Nabam Tuki government in Arunanchal Pradesh "by intervening in the matter through the Governor of the state".

"The Narendra Modi government has absolutely no respect for the democracy. When the apex court has restored the Congress government back in the state, they (BJP) is trying to intervene through the Governor," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki had met Governor Tathagata Roy on Friday and sought ten days time to prove his majority in the house but a Raj Bhavan statement later made it clear that the floor test has to be held on Saturday only as slated.

On Thursday night, Tuki had sent a letter to the Governor saying that he had been given only 48 hours to prove his majority in the house since his arrival in Itanagar.

In his letter, he had also cited the Sarkaria Commission's recommendations on holding floor test, which held "reasonable time" must be given to the Chief Minister to prove his majority, and that it had mentioned "30 days" as "reasonable time" unless there is very urgent business to be transacted.

Tuki, talking to media persons after the meeting, said: "The Governor has told me that he would consult legal experts and then take a decision. I hope he would be kind enough to consider my appeal."

However, the Raj Bhavan statement said: "Citing apprehension that the present state government does not command required majority in the Assembly, the Governor asked the Chief Minister to prove his majority in the floor of the state Legislative Assembly tomorrow (16th July)".

--IANS

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