Arunachal government loses floor test

In another controversial day of proceedings marked by high drama, Opposition BJP and rebel Congress MLAs got together to show “no confidence” in the Nabam Tuki-led Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh and to “choose” a rebel Congress MLA as the new “chief minister”.

A day after they “impeached” Speaker Nabam Rebia in a make-shift “Assembly” premises in a community hall, the opposition and rebels Congress MLAs met at a conference hall of a hotel on Thursday as the Assembly premises have been sealed since Wednesday.

The motion by 11 BJP MLAs and two Independent members was “adopted” with Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok, who is also a rebel Congressman, in the Chair. A total 33 members of the 60-member house, including 20 dissident Congress MLAs, later “elected” another dissident Congress-man Kalikho Pul as the new “chief minister” of the state. 

Tabling the “motion”, Leader of the Opposition Tamiyo Taga (of BJP) alleged that since April this year the members of the Assembly have been experiencing lack of confidence in the council of ministers led by Tuki.

Thongdok announced Pul as the “new Leader of the House” and said that the “proceedings” would be sent to the Governor who would ask the new chief minister and his council of ministers to take the oath of office shortly. 

The Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and his 26 supporting MLAs boycotted the proceedings terming them as “illegal and unconstitutional”.

Congress’ attempt to raise the issue of political developments in Arunachal Pradesh led to the abrupt adjournment of the Lok Sabha after the Speaker disallowed party leader Mallikarjun Kharge from raising the issue. The adjournment followed noisy scenes when several BJP members protested against the practice of Congress members raising their issues after trying to disrupt the House, inviting vociferous protests from the opposition party. 

BJP and Congress members indulged in heated exchanges even as the Zero Hour went ahead. Kharge was heard remarking to the Speaker that “if you will not protect us, then who will”.