APCC demands Arunachal Governor's resignation

Arunachal Pradesh Congress today welcomed the decision of the Gauhati High Court to stay the orders of Governor J P Rajkhowa and demanded his resignation on moral grounds.
Rajkhowa on December 9 last had summoned a special session for the removal of the Assembly Speaker thereby preponing the scheduled date from January 14 to 18 next year.
"The HC order vindicates the position of APCC which had maintained that the decision of the Governor was unconstitutional and guided by interests outside the ambit of his gubernatorial duties.
"Now as the court has taken a stand, the APCC further appeals to the Governor with respect that the people of Arunachal are peace loving who in spite of their different political affiliations believe in the values of a democratic setup," Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Padi Richo said in a statement.

"The people of the state have duly exercised their franchise and elected a majority Congress government which is carrying out its development and governance duties in right earnest and in full interest of the people of the state," he said.
Therefore, the constitutional head should not indulge in excessive interference in executive affairs, which is again outside the ambit of his defined duties, he added.

Richo also stated that the Governor has considerably lowered the dignity of his office, showed lack of diligence in dealing with sensitive issues which included constitutionally convening a state assembly and this suggested his incompetence to remain at the helm of affairs.

"His conduct or rather misconduct has been raised at the highest levels including that of the President of India, Prime Minister of India and also on the floor of the Parliament - the temple of Indian Democracy," he said.
Hence, the APCC sought his immediate resignation on moral grounds, Richo said.