On Republic Day, President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh; Supreme Court hearing today

NEW DELHI: The Centre has imposed President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh, where the assembly has also been placed under suspended animation. Though the Union Cabinet had recommended central rule on Sunday, after an emergency meeting, President Pranab Mukherjee took more than 48 hours to give his assent. Later in the day, former Delhi police commissioner YS Dadwal and former Delhi home secretary GS Patnaik, were appointed advisors to governor JP Rajkhowa who would be in charge of the administration.

Imposition of President’s rule comes on the eve of the Supreme Court’s hearing on Congress’ petition challenging the Union Cabinet’s recommendation. The President had expressed reservations too and sought explanations from the government. Home minister Rajnath Singh, consequently, met the President on Monday and explained the government’s logic.

President’s rule has to be endorsed by Parliament and the NDA will find it impossible to have an endorsement of the Rajya Sabha, where it is in a minority. Hence the Congress has alleged that the motive was to have an alternate government through 'defections.'

The border state has been in a political crisis since early last month, when a section of the ruling Congress legislature party rebelled against CM Nabam Tuki and joined ranks with the BJP to topple him. The rebels did not have sufficient numbers to escape the anti-defection law and the Congress had alleged that governor Rajakhowa, appointed by the Modi government, provided an active support to help the rebels.