Kiren Rijiju rules out BJP government in Arunachal Pradesh

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is an MP from Arunachal Pradesh, today said BJP has no intention to form the next government in the state saying it was upto the MLAs to decide the future course of action.

"The Union Cabinet has recommended the imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh for the next six months. The question of BJP forming the government does not arise at all. It is the MLAs who will decide what to do in future," Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, told PTI tonight.

The Minister of State for Home said it has become untenable for Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to continue the government after the Gauhati High Court order against him and considering the fact that there was no assembly session in the state for six months at a stretch.

"Majority of the MLAs are against Nabam Tuki. How can he continue. There was complete breakdown of Constitution," Rijiju said.

Asked whether BJP would seek for fresh election in the state, he said the Union Cabinet has not recommended for dissolution of the assembly but for suspended animation.

"All options are open. The President's rule was imposed for six months only," he said.

Asked whether he would like to go back to the state politics, Rijiju said he was not interested.

Meanwhile, Home Ministry sources said, in his report to the Centre, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prakash Rajkhowa said the Article 174(1) of the Constitution was violated as such there was no assembly session for six months preceding January 21.

Gherao and blockade of Raj Bhavan and the Governor, who is a nominee of the President, by some Congress MLAs amounted to Constitutional breakdown in the state.

The report said Assembly Speaker's order to not allow rebel Congress MLAs, who revolted against Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, to even visit assembly is a grave act in democratic set up of the Constitution.

Rajkhowa said state government officials played communal politics by inciting student groups against other tribals and him (Governor), raising his Assamese roots.

Politicking by state government officials who incited and funded demonstrations for recall/removal/resignation of Governor.

Article 167(b) of the Constitution was flouted as letters of Governor concerning issues of public importance were not responded to by the state government.

Law and order situation had severely deteriorated and even Raj Bhavan gheraoed and access road was blocked, the report said.