Arunachal CM floor test tomorrow, 8 more Cong MLAs to support

The newly-installed government in Arunachal Pradesh will face a test of its strength in the assembly tomorrow with Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today receiving a shot in the arm as eight Nabam Tuki loyalists extended their support to him.
Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa today summoned the seventh session of the assembly from tomorrow till February 27. Pul was sworn in as the eighth chief minister of the state on February 19 after over three months of political instability.
With the joining of the eight MLAs, the strength of the Pul camp rose to 41 including 28 Congress members, 11 BJP MLAs and two Independents in a house with an effective strength of 58, though the original strength was 60.

The Supreme Court had uphold the judgement of Gauhati High Court in resignation of two Congress MLAs - Gabriel Denang Wangsu and Wanglin Sawin - which was accepted by former Speaker Nabam Rebia.
The eight are former ministers Takam Pario, Gojen Gadi, Jomde Kena and Thirong Aboh and former Parliamentary Secretaries Punji Mara, Jambey Tashi, Gum Tayeng and Tapak Taku.
Parliamentary secretary Likha Saaya also had joined the Pul camp On February 20.

"More MLAs are going to support my government as they have realised that the causes for which I am fighting for the last several months," Pul told reporters this evening.

Deputy Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok told PTI that a new Speaker would also be elected as the seat was lying vacant since December 16.
He said the customary governor's address was also scheduled for tomorrow.
With February 26 being a holiday due to Nyokum festival of the Nyishi community, the motion of thanks to the governor's address would be taken up on the last day of the session.
"The business of the house has been decided in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting held under my chairmanship today in presence of its members including Chief Minister Pul, Leader of Opposition (BJP) Tamiyo Taga, Pema Khandu and Paknga Bage," Thongdok said.

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Asked to comment on what he would do if the Supreme Court pronounces its verdict against his government, Pul said whatever be the verdict, majority of the party MLAs would support him as the CLP leader.
"Number matters. Even if the court's verdict is against us, we can form the government by proving our majority. Court orders will have no impact on government... I have formed the government not on court's order," he said.
Pul said initially 26 Congress MLAs supported his leadership but they were "under duress" after seeing that Tuki and former Speaker Rebia "forced" two members to resign.

"As things have changed, the MLAs have came out openly against the autocratic rule of Tuki and extended their support to me," Pul claimed.
When his attention was drawn to rumours doing the round that the government would soon become a BJP government, Pul said he would remain loyal to his party, Congress, and the Congress government will run with outside support from 11 BJP members and two Independents.
"This is an inner party democracy to oppose the leadership. Majority of the Congress members were not satisfied with the style of functioning of Tuki and extended their support to me. I have paraded 32 MLAs before my swearing in on February 19," he said.

"The governor has advised us to go for floor test and we are going to prove our majority tomorrow," he said after the CLP meeting.
The chief minister said 11 ministers would be inducted tomorrow after the floor test.
He said, within four days of his swearing-in, he has released salaries of contractual and centrally sponsored schemes staff of various departments which were lying pending for long.
He said, 2,492 posts of doctors and paramedical staff including technicians have been approved and would be posted in all the districts. Moreover, 2,022 posts of police personnel have been approved and fund released for uniform to police personnel.

"My government has decided to post 20 police women in each police station of all the districts," he added.