Cong moves Prez, SC on the issue of central rule in Arunachal

Angry over the move to clamp President's rule in party-ruled Arunachal Pradesh, Congress today approached President Pranab Mukherjee, the Supreme Court and sought to rally round non-BJP Chief Ministers, declaring an "all-out war" against the "trampling" of the Constitution by Modi government.
"The Constitution is being trampled upon. Just a day before the Republic day, the Union Cabinet is taking such a decision. We will fight an all-out war. We will fight in Parliament, in court and along with people. Will tell them how democracy is being endangered", Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters.

After meeting the President along with a party delegation, Azad contended that destabilizing the sensitive state bordering China was fraught with dangerous consequences for all non-BJP states which could be made unstable "through Governors".
Azad said that the party would seek to rally round all non-BJP parties on the issue in the coming budget session of Parliament noting that they had backed Congress when such attempts had been made in Arunachal Pradesh in the last session.
Party leader Kapil Sibal, a noted lawyer, said it was "shocking" that the Arunachal Governor had recommended President's rule in the state in spite of an assurance by his lawyer in the Supreme Court that "no precipitate action" would be taken.

"It is an act to mislead the apex court. We will seek justice", Sibal, a former Law Minister, said adding that a petition has already been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the government's recommendation to impose President's rule.

In a memorandum, the party told the President that "this is the first time since independence that such a recommendation has been made to impose President's rule in the midst of a court hearing.". It also enclosed a "summary of events" detailing the "disquieting events leading to the Governor's illegal actions".
Expressing confidence that he would do justice in the matter, the Congress leaders requested the President to reflect upon what is stated in the 'summary of events' and take that into account while dealing with the memorandum.

Besides Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and PCC Chief Padi Richo, the memorandum is signed by Azad, Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarun Kharge, Sibal and AICC General Secretary V Narainsamy.