Arunachal governor rejects Tuki's request to defer floor test

Reinstated Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki will have to prove his majority on the floor of the House on Saturday with Governor Tathagata Roy on Friday rejecting his plea to defer the floor test.

Citing apprehension that the present government does not command required majority in the Assembly, the Governor asked Tuki to prove his majority on the floor of the House on Saturday, a Raj Bhavan communique here said.

Roy also emphasised that a sense of security among the people must prevail and deterrent action must be taken to ensure foolproof law and order arrangement in the state, the communique added.

Tuki, accompanied by Home Minister Tanga Byaling, called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan during the day and requested him to defer the show of strength by 10 days, saying that it was not possible to hold it at a short notice.

The chief minister also discussed the overall development of the state and law-and-order issues.

Tuki was reinstated as the Chief Minister by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, state Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia said it would not be possible to convene a session of the Assembly at such a short notice.

"There is an established system (for convening a session. A letter has to come from the parliamentary affairs department and we will have to issue summons," he said.

Former chief minister Kalikho Pul, accompanied by 43 MLAs including 11 BJP and two Independent members, are slated to arrive here from Guwahati late night, sources said.

The district administration has made elaborate security arrangement for the proposed floor test.