Hailing the Supreme Court verdict restoring the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh as "historic", the Congress today demanded the immediate sacking of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa and apology from all those involved in the decision.
Congress also demanded a probe into a tape-recorded conversation of some BJP leaders and a businessmen, handed over as proof to the court, for toppling the Arunachal Government.
"We want the Governor to submit his resignation immediately and if he does not do so, we will ask for him to be dismissed both outside and inside Parliament," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said.
Also Read
"I have heard that Rajkhowa is on leave, he should go on long leave," he further said.
Sibal also demanded an apology from Union Ministers who were involved in the decision of imposition of President's Rule in the state.
"I also demand an apology from Central government ministers who were part of the conspiracy to topple the government," he said.
Sibal also demanded that there be a thorough probe into the alleged taped conversations of BJP leaders with a businessman conspiring to topple the Congress government in the state with the same "alacrity" as one initiated against Harish Rawat in Uttarakhand.
He said "this particular decision of the Supreme Court is historic in every sense of the word, because never before in the history of this country has the Supreme Court restored the status quo ante, having stuck down actions of Constitutional authorities by using unconstitutional means to bring down governments".
Saluting the Supreme Court verdict, Sibal said, "I believe that their attempt at a 'Congress-Mukt Bharat' has not succeeded, will not succeed because there is somebody out there who is looking after the values of the Constitution to save democracy, to protect it and we salute that authority which is the Supreme Court of India."
"I salute the Supreme Court for having upheld constitutional values on the basis of which only democracy can survive," he said.
Sibal also said this is a message to this Government and also to Governors holding constitutional positions not to use the constitution "for the benefit of the party ruling in India i.E. The BJP and if unfortunately the Governors start doing this, then it is a real threat to democracy".
(REOPENS DEL 32)
Sibal said Congress would raise the issue in Parliament during its upcoming Monsoon Session starting July 18 and would demand a debate and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on the issue.
He alleged that the taped conversations into which the Congress is seeking a probe "points a needle of suspicion" towards the Prime Minister of India as well as the Home Minister."
"We would like both these authorities to explain their position in Parliament," he said, adding that "They would have to answer those questions in Parliament."
Sibal, however, refused to comment on the role of the President in imposing President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh, but merely said, that "President's Rule was imposed in the state on January 26, that is on Republic Day".
Sibal said he was "deeply disturbed by the machinations" of this government to use "unconstitutional means" to bring down elected governments in this country in which the Congress is in power.
The Congress leader alleged that the modus operandi of the ruling party is to first "wean away" people by "foul means", then impose President's Rule by telling the Governor that the government has lost majority and install another government in the meantime, allowing the matter to be taken up by courts over a period of time.
"But in Uttarakhand it didn't work, because the decision came in immediately. In Arunachal Pradesh, they thought the consequent events will overtake the earlier decisions, but the Supreme Court has said no, we will restore the status-quo-ante as on December 15."
Saibal also sought a thorough investigation on how members of Congress Party in Arunachal Pradesh were weaned away from the Legislative Party to support a new formulation within Arunachal Pradesh.
"There is a tape-recorded conversation which we produced both in the High Court and the Supreme Court which points a needle of suspicion towards the Prime Minister of India as well as the Home Minister and we would like both these authorities to explain their position in Parliament.
"We would also like an immediate investigation in to this tape-recorded conversation considering the alacrity with which the BJP started investigating an alleged sting operation in Uttarakhand in respect of Mr Rawat. I am sure that they should with the same alacrity investigate the taped conversations that I have referred to," he said.
The Supreme Court today ordered restoration of the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh by quashing all the Governor's decisions that had precipitated its fall in January, holding them "violative" of the Constitution.
(REOPENS DEL 43)
Sibal also attacked rebel Congress member Kalikho Pul for claiming that he still has the numbers with him, saying this "shows the lack of respect for the Court".
"If the Supreme Court of India has rendered a verdict and that also 5 Judge-bench of the Supreme Court, in a historical hearing, then I think all parties concerned must respect that verdict.
"If someone says Governments are formed by majority and not by court verdicts, I think it is very unfortunate comment and I am sure that those who are supporting Kalikho Pul, the BJP, will actually reprimand him for this comment," he said.
To a question that in the wake of today's judgement, what will be the Congress Party's message to rebel MLAs who have been running the Government, Sibal said situation reverts back to that of December 15.
"Everything thereafter, therefore, is irrelevant. When the Session meets, then we will see what happens. Political message to them will be that you are part of our family," he said.
(Reopens DES 38)
Meanwhile, Haryana Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran Choudhry described the judgment as "a slap on the face of the BJP-led NDA government."
In a statement issued in Chandigarh, the former excise and taxation minister thanked the Supreme Court.
"It is a rap on the knuckles of both the Central government and the Governor and a lesson the BJP-led NDA can't afford not to learn," Choudhry remarked.
