GUWAHATI: This is not the first time that Arunachal Pradesh is facing a political crisis. but the decision to run the state Assembly in a community hall is a first that has no precedence in this border state.

The Pandora ’s Box was first opened when the speaker of the Arunachal Pradesh legislative assembly Nabam Rebia was ‘impeached’ which was followed by what can be described as a major political breakdown in state Capital Itanagar. The Governor’s action evoked strong reaction, after which the state government sealed the Assembly building in what is totally unprecedented action.

On December 15 Chief Minister Nabam Tuki met Governor J.P Rajkhowa and requested the Governor to recall the order for convening the assembly, which was turned down by the Governor. It was alleged that some of the ministers “misbehaved” with the Governor who is seen to be following a unilateral course. Later Speaker Nabam Rebia disqualified 14 Rebel Congress MLAs on charges of defection.

In a fast response, the Deputy Speaker T.N Thongdok quashed the Speaker’s order of disqualification of the 14 MLAs. He further called for the Assembly session as per the Governor’s order.

On December 16,the rebel Congress and opposition MLAs found the main gate of the state legislative assembly locked. 26 MLAs in CM Tuki’s camp did not turn up.

The 21 Congress rebel MLAs , 11 BJP MLAs and 2 Independent MLAs met at a community hall at Naharlagun, on the outskirts of Itanagar. They’ impeached’ the speaker Nabam Rebia.In the session, a "no confidence" motion moved by 11 BJP MLAs and two Independent members was "adopted”. 34 lawmakers including the deputy speaker turned up for the session in the 60 member assembly. 26 other members of the Assembly who are with CM Tuki’s camp, including the chief minister himself, abstained claiming the session as ‘illegal and unconstitutional’.

The 33 MLAs chose rebel Congress MLA Kalhikho Pul as the new leader of the House and decided to proceed to the Raj Bhawan. But they could not come out of the hotel the entire day as all roads in Naharlagun and Itanagar were blocked by supporters of CM Tuki. 33 MLAs held the Assembly session in a City Hotel and passed a no confidence motion against the Tuki Government. They elected Rebel MLA Kalikho Pul as the CM designate.

Tuki supporters soon blocked all major roads, Women Congress Volunteers blocked the entry to the Raj Bhawan, Kalikho Pul could not reach the Raj Bhawan.

Meanwhile the Arunachal Pradesh Government filed a whir petition at the Guwahati high court. Eminent lawyer and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal reached Guwahati to arguesfor the government. The HC issued a stay order on the Assembly session issue till Feb 1,2016.

The state Assembly has 60 MLAs, of them 47 are from the Congress party. 21 Congress MLAs have reportedly rebelled against Tuki. They also claim to have the support of 11 BJP and two independent MLAs. CM Tuki has also alleged that the BJP national leadership has been fuelling the rebel camp.

The beginning of the current trouble can be traced to April 2 whenthe former finance minister of Arunachal Pradesh and MLA Kalhikho was expelled for six years for anti-party activities.

Pul, who has been elected to the Assembly from Hayuliang constituency continuously since 1999, has had a rocky relationship with Nabam Tuki in his second stint as chief minister. After being inducted into Tuki's cabinet in February last year prior to the election, Pul was promptly dropped in December and replaced by Anini MLA Rajesh Tacho.

On October 4 a report published in a national daily claimed that 37 Congress legislators, including six ministers, have joined hands to try and topple Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.

The report named sitting ministers like Kamlung Mossang, Chowna Mein, Wangling Lowangdong, Thangwang Wangham, Kumar Waii and Pema Khandu as having joined hands with former Finance Minister Kalikho Pul who is allegedly leading the dissident group.

Later during that time Arunachal Pradesh Congress chief Padi Richo said in a statement stated that,the report as false, fabricated and misleading and there is no iota of truth in it.He also stated that rumours cannot be taken into consideration and it must be clarified by the concerned leaders.

Again in the month of October four top level officials resigned from their posts, accusing the incumbent state government of breeding corruption and nepotism.

In their resignation letter, the top officials - who included Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Ltd chairman Techi Lama, Hydro Power Development Corporation Chairman Tani Loffa and Monitoring and Vigilance Committee chairman Toko Anil - accused Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of mismanaging finances and favouritism.

Circumstance turned more regrettable when Governor Rajkhowa intervened to impeach the Speaker. The fact that he is with the RSS is being highlighted by the Congress party as evidence of ‘taking sides.’ The Governor has been accused of violating Articles 174 and 175 of the Constitution and taking matters into his own hand and acting ‘hastily’ as per a demand for the removal of the Speaker made by the BJP legislators as well.

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