Nabam Tuki, who was reinstalled as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister on Wednesday, will have to take the floor test tomorrow as directed by the Governor, who rejected his plea and also a Cabinet resolution to defer the exercise to prove his majority that could be an uphill task.
As the remote northeastern state appeared headed for another round of political standoff, Tuki, who led a Congress government that fell in January after the controversial role played by then Governor J P Rajkhowa, met acting Governor Tathagata Roy today and sought postponement of the floor test by at least ten days. Tuki was restored as the Chief Minister by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The numbers game tonight did not appear to favour Tuki since ousted Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, who is backed by BJP, has claimed the support of 43 MLAs, including 11 BJP and two independent members, in the 60-member Assembly.
Pul heads the People's Party of Arunachal(PPA), which also includes Congress rebels. Tuki has appealed to the Congress rebels to return to the party fold.
The district administration has also made elaborate security arrangements with the Governor asking it to ensure that the Legislative Assembly, important routes, private residences and other properties of all stakeholders are secured.
Tuki told reporters after meeting the Governor, who yesterday gave the direction for taking the floor test by July 16, that he had requested 10 more days time, since it was not possible to hold it at a short notice.
Citing apprehension that the present government does not command required majority in the Assembly, the Governor asked Tuki to prove his majority on the floor of the House tomorrow, a Raj Bhavan communique here said,rejecting the Cabinet resolution and Tuki's plea.
The Governor also emphasised that a sense of security among the people must prevail and deterrent action must be taken to ensure foolproof law and order arrangement in the state, the communique added.
The state Cabinet at its meeting also resolved to request the Governor to defer the proposed floor test by at least ten days and the decision was conveyed to him.
The Cabinet in its resolution observed that being monsoon period, many of the MLAs are out of station and would not be in a position to attend the session for holding the floor test in such a short period of time.
The Cabinet decision also stated that Saturday being a holiday in the state, it would not be proper to summon the Assembly.
Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia said it would not be possible to convene a session of the Assembly at such a short notice.
Meanwhile, the state unit of BJP adopted a resolution to extend full support to PPA during the floor test.
"The regional party PPA is a core constituent of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA)," BJP state unit president Tapir Gao said in a statement, adding the party would extend outside support to the PPA.
The party further adopted a resolution seeking graceful exit of Tuki.
