The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the central government on a plea challenging the imposition of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh on 26 January. The court has also sought a report on the reasons behind imposing President’s rule in the state.
Earlier, the apex court constitution bench issued a notice giving the Centre time till 29 January to file its response.
The same bench will hear the fresh plea which is mentioned for urgent hearing and is filed by senior advocates Fali S Nariman and Kapil Sibal. It challenges the Union Cabinet report recommending President’s rule in the state.
The court will give state Congress chief Tacho, the liberty to amend the plea to include challenge to the presidential proclamation. The decision was taken on Sunday.
Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said people are upset about the imposition of President’s rule and hoped the apex court to do justice.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had said the cabinet was forced to take the decision because of a Constitutional breakdown. He said the move comes since six months had lapsed between two sessions of the state assembly.
The Union Cabinet’s Reasons
Union Ministry StatementTaking cognisance of the constitutional breakdown that has taken place in the state of Arunachal Pradesh as reported by the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 24 January 2016 had recommended to the President of India to issue such a proclamation.
The ‘Murder of Democracy’
Arunachal Pradesh CM Nabam Tuki has written to the President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking their intervention. He asked for the Constitution to be “upheld” in the face of the “unprecedented murder” of democracy and “bypassing” of a democratically- elected government by the Governor.
Tom Vadakkan, Congress SpokespersonThis is murder of democracy. The matter is sub-judice and government has acted in haste. It is a clear-cut insult to the highest court of the land. Democracy has been murdered.
Opposition Attacks Centre
Opposition parties have attacked the Centre’s decision saying it amounted to “murder” of democracy. The BJP said the crisis was of Congress’ making because it had lost numbers in the assembly.
The JD(U) and AAP called the move “murder” of democracy and federalism and accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of “insulting” the highest court of the country.
The BJP, however, accused the Congress of politicising the issue.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal compared the move to an Emergency-like condition.
JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said the BJP-led government’s decision has “killed” federalism and threatened that his party will raise the issue in Parliament during the budget session.
(With agency inputs)
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