Congress, JD-U and AAP today attacked imposition of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh as “murder” of democracy and federalism and accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of “insulting” the highest court of the country that is right now hearing the matter.
BJP, however, defended the decision saying it needs to be seen from multiple perspectives and is as per Constitutional mandate and in turn accused the Congress of politicising the issue.
“This 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,” Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal compared the imposition of President’s rule to an Emergency-like condition. “Prez rule in Arunachal Advaniji was right in saying that there are Emergency-like conditions in the country,” he tweeted.
Attacking the decision, outgoing Arunachal chief minister Nabam Tuki said they will approach the court as matter is sub-judice. He also claimed that there is no law and order situation in the state, which is peaceful, and claimed Congress had 31 out of 44 MLAs, with BJP having only 11, besides two independents.
“Rules have not been followed in Arunachal. Decision taken by the government is unconstitutional…We will approach the Supreme Court about the decision. Today is a historic day when every citizen is celebrating Republic Day and such a decision by the Union Cabinet is enforced on this day.
“The matter is sub-judice. We will approach the Supreme Court. We will fight it legally…The highest judiciary of the country will give justice to the state, justice to the party and alsio will protect the Constitution,” he said.
Tuki said that “if tomorrow, 40-50 MPs do dissidence in Parliament, then will the Prime Minister be removed?”
JD-U leader K C 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.
“It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who during Lok Sabha campaign was advocating the spirit of cooperative federalism, which has become the first casualty in today’s case. BJP is repeating the same mistake what Congress used to do.
“We used to accuse Congress for misuse of Article 356, the same mistake and conspiracy are being repeated by BJP. The present leadership is doing the same. We will raise these issues in coming session of Parliament,” he said.
Tyagi added that “when federal structure is dying, how can you run Parliament? When street fighting is going on in Arunachal, where a majority is being reduced to a minority, how can you run Parliament?”
Defending the decision to impose President’s rule, BJP Spokesperson Nalin Kohli said “we need to see it from multiple perspectives. The decision is based on a report that comes in. It has to be in terms of a Constitutional mandate. ”
Attacking the Congress, Kohli said “it is but obvious that Congress is out to politicise the issue. But there are issues relating to the fact that an assembly session has to be held in not more than six months apart. There is also law and order situation.”
PTI