‘Tuki quitting proves us right’

Senior Congress leader Chowna Mein is sworn in as the deputy chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh by governor Tathagata Roy at a ceremony in Itanagar. (Photo: PTI)

Receiving a major jolt in Arunachal Pradesh, where Congress’ Pema Khandu was elected as the new chief minister, the BJP on Sunday claimed that Nabam Tuki’s resignation as the CM “vindicated” its stand and proved “right” governor J.P. Rajkhowa’s decisions following the political crisis in the state. The BJP was supporting former the Congress rebel Kalikho Pul-led government in the state. After the Supreme Court’s ruling, Mr Pul, who had formed a new party, was back in the Congress.

“We always said Tuki did not have a majority. The governor took decisions following the rebellion against him by Congress MLAs and President’s Rule was imposed. His resignation proves the BJP right as well as the actions of the governor,” BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

While referring to the earlier Uttarakhand crisis, the BJP said the top court offered two different solutions for a similar problem, while noting that the top court had asked its chief minister Harish Rawat to take a floor test, but restored the previous government in Arunachal Pradesh.

“If the Supreme Court had asked Tuki to take a floor test as well, then the result would have been different. That is why the BJP had called the court’s verdict strange,” said the BJP leader.

In a dramatic turnaround in Arunachal Pradesh, Congress MLAs on Saturday chose a new leader in Pema Khandu, who staked claim to power on the basis of support of 45 party MLAs along with two Independents.

“The Arunachal crisis was borne out of the internal feud in the Congress. Tuki faced corruption charges and the Congress leadership ignored the plea of its MLAs that led to the crisis. The Congress should stop blaming BJP for its ills... its central leadership is at the root of its problems,” he claimed.