Arunachal Pradesh crisis: CM Nabam Tuki steps down, Pema Khandu new CLP leader

Media reports said the CM had stepped down as leader of the Congress Legislature Party

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki on Saturday stepped down as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, effectively relinquishing his position as CM, media reports said. Wire agency ANI quoted Congress MLA Kaming Dolo as saying that Pema Khandu was to be elected the new CLP leader of the north-eastern hill state.

What this also means is that a scheduled floor test to establish Tuki's chief ministership will now be postponed, and will instead be held to establish Khandu's claims to the CM's post. 

The turn of events comes after more than six months of legal wrangling that started in December 2015 when rebel Congress MLAs sought to impeach the Speaker, alleging he was looking to suspend them. After a series of twists, the Governor imposed President’s Rule, which was lifted after a Supreme Court-ordered floor test established Kalikho Pul as the new chief minister with the backing of the BJP and Congress rebel MLAs.

Earlier this week, however, a 5-bench Constitution bench of the apex court overturned the Governor’s decision, and ordered the restoration of status quo ante dating to December 15, 2015. Following the court’s judgment, Tuki was sworn in as CM for the second time, and was to prove his party’s majority on the floor of the House.