Nabam Tuki’s fresh plea in Supreme Court over Prez rule

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Thursday filed a fresh petition in the Supreme Court challenging the promulgation of President’s rule in the crisis-hit state. 

The plea filed by the Congress leader is likely to be taken up for hearing on Monday by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice JS Khehar, along with other petitions moved by persons like Rajesh Tacho, Chief Whip of Congress Legislature party in the state assembly. 

The plea has been filed after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Centre, had raised the objection that the earlier petitions have not challenged the imposition of President’s rule which was invoked after filing of those pleas. 

On Wednesday, the imposition of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh had come under the scanner of the apex court which sought the report of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa recommending central rule in the state, saying “it is too serious a matter”. 

The bench had asked the Attorney General not to raise “technical objections” when he persisted with his plea arguing that “rules are rules” and they apply equally to all. 

It had then posted the matter for February one asking the Governor and the Ministry of Home Affairs to file responses by Friday, by when the petitioners have been allowed to amend their plea. The bench, for its own perusal, sought in a sealed cover the report and recommendation on imposition of the President’s rule. 

Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has alleged that Congress was responsible for imposition of central rule more than 100 times in various states on “flimsy grounds”. 

“President Rule is imposed only in a special case. Congress Party had imposed it more than 100 times on flimsy grounds, including Arunachal Pradesh in the past,” he said in a Facebook post after Central rule was imposed in the border state. 

Rijiju said Congress must apologise to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for failing to remain as united, corruption free and accountable to the people.