Aruchal crisis economic, our concerns ignored: Pul

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Dec 19: Dissident Congress leader in Aruchal Pradesh Kalikho Pul today claimed that more party MLAs are in touch with him, while maintaining that the crisis in his State is "not political but economic".

"More Congress MLAs are in touch with us and our numbers are definitely going to increase," Pul, who was elected 'chief minister' in the December 17 parallel 'assembly session' held in makeshift premises, told a press conference here.

“The crisis is not political. It is an economic crisis. It is also not a fight for the Chief Minister’s chair,” Pul said, alleging gross fincial mismagement and corruption by Chief Minister bam Tuki.

He alleged that the fincial position of the State deteriorated under Tuki while contractors payment, stipends, salaries were not paid.

The rebel leader said the issues were taken up at the Assembly and CLP meetings, but were ignored.

“Since the last two months, we have been trying to meet the AICC president, but to no avail,” he said.

There are 47 Congress MLAs in the 60-member house and 21 of them, along with 11 BJP and two Independent MLAs, are supporting Pul.

Asked whether they were planning to join the BJP, the dissident leader said that he is a Congressman, and has been winning elections on the party ticket since 1995.

“I have never indulged in anti-party activity. The present crisis is an example of inner party democracy. We are knocking at the doors of the party high command to apprise it of the level of corruption and lack of development in Aruchal Pradesh,” he said.

“We are all in the Congress and we will not leave the party. It is the chief minister and a section of the State party leadership that is giving wrong feedback to the party high command,” Pul alleged.

He also supported Governor JP Rajkhowa’s decision, saying, “BJP MLAs in the House had moved a proposal to impeach Speaker bam Rebia and no notification regarding this was issued by the Speaker during the stipulated period of 14 days. It was only after the stipulated period was over that the Governor summoned the House.”

The Governor has summoned the House under Article 174 (Clause 1) of the Constitution and he has the power to summon the House as and when he deems fit, Pul said.