SC verdict: Government puts a poser

NEW DELHI: The government today said it will do a "structured examination" of the Supreme Court order restoring the dismissed Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh and its implications before making a detailed response.

However, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad put a poser over developments in the state after December 15, including the withdrawal of the President's Rule and Kalikho Pul proving his majority subsequently in the Assembly following the "legislative procedures" and forming the government.

The apex court had ordered that status quo ante as prevailed on December 15, 2015 be restored in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly.

The judgement is seen as a major setback to the central government and the BJP, which is extending outside support to the Pul government.

"We are yet to get the order. We will study it in detail... and then make structured response. We will do a structured examination of the order. It requires detailed consideration," Prasad told reporters at the Cabinet briefing.

"We will carefully study the judgement and its implications," he said.

Attacking Congress over its criticism of the Centre in the light of the court's order, Prasad said he feels like laughing to hear sermons on democracy from it.