Tuki alleges Guv interfering with state govt, legislature

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has accused Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa of "interfering" with the activities of the state government and the Legislature, and asked him to "desist" from taking actions which could create "doubt and suspicion" in people's minds.
The letter, a copy of which was available to the press here, gave credence to the wide speculation in the state that an uneasy relationship existed between the two sides.
The letter, written yesterday, referred to newspaper reports which suggested to the effect that the Governor was unhappy with the democratically-elected government.
"The present situation has caught the attention of the common citizens of the state and the perception is that a parallel government is being run by the Raj Bhavan," Tuki alleged in his letter.

The letter said, "The actions of directly calling commissioners and secretaries of various departments to the Raj Bhavan and asking them to directly report to the Governor has diluted the constitutional provisions, wherein it is required to take any report through the chief minister or the council of ministers."
"It is also a matter of serious concern that the same is being done without even informing the chief secretary," it further alleged.

The governor has started "interfering" with the activities of the Legislative Assembly superseding the office of the Speaker by directly asking the secretary and other officers of the Assembly to report to Raj Bhavan without due knowledge of the speaker, he alleged.

"With all humility, I would like to request you to uphold the dignity of the position of the Governor of the state, which is one of the most respected and coveted positions as provided for by the Constitution of India," Tuki said.
Tuki said the Governor, who is supposed to safeguard the Constitution of India, by his actions is "sidelining" the provisions of the Constitution.
"....The newspaper reports suggest that the Governor
has written to the office of the Prime Minister to stop various important projects and funds for the people of the state on the pretext of unfounded complaints from various politically-motivated quarters," the letter said.

Tuki in his letter said, "It is an open secret evident from the course of events that the high constitutional office of the Governor is being misused by the state BJP and affiliated organisations as BJP headquarters to prepare strategies and conspiracies towards dislodging the democratically-elected government of the state."
The letter further alleged that some 'unhappy' Congress legislators were being 'lured' with a promise that "if the chief minister and the council of ministers are ousted, the Governor will support such MLAs who express their willingness to vote against the government in any proposed no confidence motion".
It alleged that "not only the chief minister, but the Speaker too was at the receiving end of the "activities at the Raj Bhavn".

Tuki urged the Governor to act as a guide and mentor to the chief minister and the council of ministers in taking the state forward in all respects.