Pul stakes claim to form government

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, Feb 16: Dissident leader Kalikho Pul on Monday submitted a memorandum to the Governor staking claim to form the government in Aruchal Pradesh.

The latest development happened when a joint delegation of 32 members of Aruchal Pradesh Legislative Assembly consisting of 19 Congress, 11 BJP and two independent MLAs led by Kalikho Pul along with leader of Opposition Tamiyo Taga called on the Governor JP Rajkhowa at Raj Bhavan here.

Taga made it clear that the BJP would be supporting a Congress Government led by Kalikho Pul as the leader and had no intention to form a BJP led Government, a Raj Bhawan communiqué informed.

In separate memorandums, Congress, BJP and Independent MLAs urged the Governor to invite Kalikho Pul to form the government in the state as soon as the President’s rule is revoked.

They reaffirmed their “support to the leadership of Kalikho Pul to be the head of the council of ministers that may be sworn in” at the end of the President’s rule”.

Chow Mein along with CT Mein, Zingnu mchoom, Wangki Lowang and Honchun Ngandam, who were claimed to be with the other group of the Congress Party, submitted a memorandum stating that they are with Kalikho Pul. The Governor is reported to have said that he will put forward their claims to the President of India for information and direction, after duly examining and consulting legal experts.

It is for the President of India to decide whether to lift the President Rule in the State or not and when, Governor said as he advised the 32 MLAs and also those currently staying outside the State to be in the State and attend to the welfare of the people who elected them.

The Governor hoped that there will be a stable, solid and democratically elected people’s Government in the State on revocation of the President Rule, the communiqué informed.