SC gives nod to Govt formation in ArP
Source: The Sangai Express / ANI
New Delhi, February 18 2016:
In a major setback to the Congress Party, the Supreme Court on Thursday vacated the status quo order of maintaining President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh, thereby giving its nod to Government formation in the State.
After going through the Gauhati High Court and Assembly records, the apex Court said, "We don't see reason to interfere with the High Court order at this stage" .
The Court had yesterday directed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government to maintain status quo in the State.
The ruling, which came shortly after the Union Cabinet recommended that President's Rule be revoked in the State, put paid to any possibility of a rebel Congress Government being propped up with dissident leader Kalikho Pul as the Chief Minister.
The Court had earlier questioned Governor JP Rajkhowa's use of his 'Constitutional discretion' to advance the sixth session of the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly by over a month, asking whether it was backed by sound Constitutional principles or based on a mere whim.
Advancing the session from its scheduled date of January 14, 2016, to December 16, 2015, in order to remove Speaker Nebam Rebia triggered the entire political crisis leading to the imposition of President's Rule on January 26 .
The apex Court bench's questions pertained to the order issued by Rajkhowa on December 9, 2015, to advance the Assembly session without consulting Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and his Council of Ministers under Article 174 (1) of the Constitution.