President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh is a brazen violation of Constitution, says Congress

The Congress on Monday said that the Centre's recommendation to impose president's rule in Arunachal Pradesh is a brazen violation of constitutional norms.

"It is a very unfortunate decision; the whole matter is sub-judice before the honorable Supreme Court of India.I think the decision to request to honorable President to impose President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh not only is unfortunate, but also it is a brazen violation of constitutional norms," said Congress Leader Ashwini Kumar

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Describing the exercise of constitutional power by the cabinet as a murder of democracy, Kumar further added that the elected government in Arunachal Pradesh still enjoys a majority and whether or not the decision of government to keep the Assembly operational was right or wrong is before the Supreme Court.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, backed the government's recommendation for President's rule, saying there is a constitutional crisis in the state and people are feeling cheated.

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"There is a situation of constitutional crisis in Arunachal Pradesh. Seeing the present conditions, the people of the state are feeling cheated," BJP leader and union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told ANI.

"The Centre will fulfill all its responsibilities within constitutional limits," he added.

The Union Cabinet yesterday recommended President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh. The recommendation has been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for his approval.

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Arunachal Pradesh was rocked by a political crisis on December 16 last year as 21 rebel Congress MLAs joined hands with BJP's 11 MLAs and two independents to impeach Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia at a makeshift venue.

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The Speaker termed the move as illegal and unconstitutional.