Pul to face floor test today

Aruchal Pradesh

Our Correspondent

Itagar, Feb 24: Aruchal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa has summoned the seventh session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly from February 25 to 27 next.

Deputy Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok told The Sentinel that the House will take up the motion of confidence on present Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on the first day of the session tomorrow besides the customary Governor’s address and election of Speaker, which is lying vacant since December 16 last year.

With February 26 being a holiday on account of Nyokum festival of the Nyishi community, the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address will be taken up on February 27, the last day of the session, he disclosed.

“The business of the House has been decided in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting held under my chairmanship today in presence of its members including Chief Minister Pul, Leader of Opposition (BJP) Tamiyo Taga, Pema Khandu and Paknga Bage,” Thongdok added.

 The Governor summoned the session after Pul was sworn in as the eighth Chief Minister of the State on February 19 last after over three months of political instability.

The Union Cabinet on January 24 last recommended for imposition of President Rule in the State and accordingly Central rule was imposed on January 26. However, on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet, Central rule was lifted on February 19 by President Prab Mukherjee.

The Himalayan State plunged into a political turmoil after 21 dissident MLAs led by Pul revolted against the then chief minister bam Tuki.

The Governor had advanced the sixth session of the assembly from January 14 this year to December 16 and 17 last year, which was convened held in makeshift venues. During the session, attended by 21 legislators, including 11 BJP members and two independents, the House with Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok on the chair impeached Speaker bam Rebia and elected Pul as the new CLP leader.

The Supreme Court is hearing the case on daily basis.