Supreme Court orders Central Government to maintain status quo in Arunachal Pradesh

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Modi government to maintain status quo in Arunachal, minutes after the Cabinet recommended that President's Rule be revoked in the state to allow a new government to come in. The new government would comprise rebel Congress MLAs supported by the Opposition BJP.

Rebel Congress MLAs had joined hands with the Opposition BJP to reduce the Congress government of Nabam Tuki to a minority there. But even before a floor test could be held, the state Governor JP Rajkhowa, a BJP appointee, had recommended that the state be placed under President's Rule.

The top court bench, comprising Justices J.S. Khehar, Dipak Misra, Madan B. Lokur, PC Ghose and N V Ramana, directed the central government to maintain status quo in the state till it went through the House papers relating to disqualification of 14 MLAs by ousted Speaker Nabam Rebia.