APCC urges Governor not to allow Pul to form government

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, Feb 14: The Aruchal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has urged governor J P Rajkhowa not to allow the 21-member Congress dissident group led by Kalikho Pul to form the government with the support of BJP and 2 independent lawmakers.

In a letter to the Governor yesterday, APCC president Padi Richo said bam Tuki is the democratically elected Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader since May 18, 2014, and no change has taken place in the CLP till date.

It has been reported that Pul is staking claim to form the government in the state with support from disqualified MLAs, the BJP and two independent MLAs. The case regarding the 14 disqualified MLAs is in the Supreme Court.

“Tuki is having majority in the CLP and no other person, whether any MLA or disqualified, can claim to be the leader of CLP or its member and approach your good office for staking claim, even with the support of any other political party. If any person approaches you with any such request, it will be against the constitution of India, especially the 10th Schedule, and also against the CLP decision,” the letter read.

Richo said it is a fact that 21 MLAs boycotted and distanced themselves from CLP meetings, and 2 MLAs out of 21 resigned from the assembly, which was accepted by the speaker on September 30, 2015, and notified and gazetted on October 1, last year.

“The Gauhati high court and the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the speaker and these 2 seats became vacant from October 1 last,” Richo said.

He said the 14 MLAs in the Pul camp have been disqualified from the membership of CLP on December 15 last year and they cannot claim as members of Congress anymore.