Dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul staked claim to form government in Arunachal Pradesh

GUWAHATI: With Arunachal Pradesh under President rule, dissident congress leader Kalikho Pul on Monday met Governor J.P Rajkhowa and staked the claim to form government in the state once president’s rule is revoked.

Pul was accompanied by 31 other MLAs which included MLAs from BJP and independent. This move by dissent camp has assumed significance for the matter of Arunachal is pending in the Supreme court.

AICC’s move to win over dissident camp leaders had failed for the camp is not ready to accept Nabam Tuki as the chief minister.

A communique from Raj Bhavan stated a Joint delegation of 32 members led by Pul along with leader of Opposition Tamiyo Taga called on Governor at Rajbhavan.

Pul, who came along with 18 other Congress Legislative Assembly members, submitted a Memorandum to the Governor staking claim to form the Government in the State.

“Chowna Mein along with 4 other MLAs, namely CT Mein, Zingnu Namchoom, Wangki Lowang and Honchu Ngandam, who were claimed to be with the other group of the Congress Party submitted a Memorandum stating that they are with Kalikho Pul. They reaffirmed their “support to the leadership of Pul to be the head of the council of ministers that may be sworn in” at the end of the President’s rule”, the communique stated.

Taga, who also came along with other 10 BJP MLAs submitted a Memorandum stating unconditional support to Pul. Taga stated, ““In affirmation of this support (their support) to Kalikho Pul, we, the 11 members belonging to the BJP in the

Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, hereby sign this document and we urge you to kindly invite Kalikho Pul to form the Government in the State as soon as the Proclamation under Article 356 is revoked or whenever it ceases to operate”.



The two Independent MLAs also submitted a Memorandum extending their support to Pul. They affirmed their “support to

Kalikho Pul to be the leader of the house and to be the next Chief Minister of the State whenever the Proclamation under article 356 of the Constitution that is currently operatives is revoked or ceases to be operative”.

Governor assured to put forward their claims to the President of India for information and direction if any after duly examining and consulting legal experts. He added that it is for the President of India to decide whether to lift the President Rule (PR) in the State or not and when. Again, it is for the President of India to make a decision on reviving the life of the Assembly by revoking the suspension order. The Governor hoped that there will be a stable, solid and democratically elected people’s Government in the State on revocation of the President Rule.

Taga in his brief speech made it clear that the BJP would be supporting a Congress Government led by Pul as the leader and had no intention to form a BJP led Government.