I didn't recommend President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh on Republic Day, says JP Rajkhowa

Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa, who was sacked as governor of Arunachal Pradesh after a controversial 16-month tenure, has said that he was satisfied with what he did during his stint and “at this juncture,” he did not want to say if he was politically used. In an exclusive interview to ET , Rajkhowa insisted that he wanted an order from the President on his removal. Excerpts:

Are you satisfied with your tenure as the governor of Arunachal?
I got all the support, love and co-operation from 95 per cent people of Arunachal Pradesh. With its 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes, Arunachal has rich cultural tradition, practices and heritage. The youth in particular were supportive of several initiatives taken on sports, infrastructure, tourism and for connectivity during President’s rule.

Do you think you were politically used?
I never approached a political party or politician for the governor’s post. I am not a politician and so cannot say exactly if I was used or not. At this juncture, I do not think I must say something on this. I do not have any specific comment on this.

Why did you say that the manner in which you were asked to relinquish office was demeaning?
A private person in Guwahati called me up on August 29, asking me to resign and assuring me that in return I would be suitably accommodate in a constitutional post. However, I am not going to accept any post now.

I got to know that I am being removed from a press statement of the Press Information Bureau. Till now, the official communication from the President’s office has not arrived. Being a constitutional authority, I insist on an official order which bears the seal and sign of the President of India.

Do you disagree with the view that you had exceeded your brief as governor?
In my parting statement on Tuesday I have mentioned about the tumultuous period in the state, more particularly in the capital complex (Itanagar-Naharlagun), when certain unhappy political developments and law and order situations took place including siege on Raj Bhavan on several occasions.

I would not like to comment on the circumstance leading to imposition of Presidents rule on Republic Day and its revocation as the entire matter is yet to be decided by a five-member Constitution bench of the Supreme Court.

But I would like to make it clear that President’s rule was not imposed based just on the governor’s report. In any case, only after proper assessment and due application of mind, does the President, on the recommendation of the Union Council of Ministers, decide on imposition of his rule. I would like to make it absolutely clear I had never recommended that President’s rule be imposed in my state on Republic Day.