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Supreme Court reinstates Congress Government in Arunachal Pradesh

by IBNS 13 Jul 2016, 07:35 am

New Delhi, Jul 13 (IBNS) : A verdict by the Supreme Court on Wednesday reinstated Congress Government in Arunachal Prdesh, spelling the second victory for the party that recently won back power in Uttarakhand in a similar court room battle.

Arunachal Pradesh had been under President's Rule since January 26 after the  Nabam Tuki-led Congress government was dismissed following  21 of its 47 lawmakers rebelled against the Chief Minister. 

A five-member Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court   unanimously quashed Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa's decision to advance the Assembly session from January 14, 2016 to December 16, 2015, describing it as "unconstitutional and illegal."

The bench, led by Justice J.S. Khehar, directed the immediate imposition of status quo ante as on December 15, 2015.

The governor had justified his action saying he believed that a "biased" Speaker would act in support of Chief Minister Tuki, even though he had lost his majority.

The leader of the dissident faction, Kalikho Pul, was sworn in as chief minister with the support of the 20 Congress rebels and 11 legislators of the BJP.