Verdict for governor to obey, says Attorney-General

The Congress government headed by Nabam Tuki will be restored in Arunachal Pradesh in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment quashing all decisions of the governor which had precipitated its fall in December last.

“The judgement has to be implemented and the governor will take all necessary actions and steps,” attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi told PTI after a high-level meeting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence.

He said the action has to be taken by the governor as the Central government has no role to play and also it was not a party in the matter.

Mr Rohatgi said as of now no decision has been taken to file any review petition immediately on the Supreme Court verdict.

Earlier, the Prime Minister deliberated with senior ministers on the Supreme Court order on Arunachal Pradesh and explored the way forward, including a review petition to be filed possibly by chief minister Kalikho Pul.

Home minister Rajnath Singh, finance minister Arun Jaitley, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Mr Rohatgi and top government officials met at the home ministry and examined the apex court ruling and its implications, official sources said.

After the hour-long meeting, the ministers drove to 7 Race Course Road, the official residence of the Prime Minister, to discuss with him future course of action.

Sources said there is a possibility of filing a review petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the five judge bench order by Mr Pul, whose government has been displaced.

However, the top functionaries are still debating whether the Central government will file the petition or by someone from the Kalikho Pul government.

With a majority government already in place in Arunachal Pradesh, the Centre may seek clarification from the Supreme Court on its verdict restoring status quo ante as on December 15, 2015 in the state Assembly.

Sources said the Centre may seek clarification from the apex court on the fate of the Kalikho Pul government which had come to power after proving majority on the floor of the House as per the established legislative procedure.

The government may also ask whether former chief minister Nabam Tuki will have to prove majority on the floor of the House or Kalikho Pul.

Mr Pul, meanwhile, said he will file a review petition in the Supreme Court on its judgment ordering restoration of the previous Congress government.

“Definitely, I will file a review petition. Let me first go through the detail judgment,” he said.