Tuki takes charge in Itagar, seeks 'more time' to face trial of strength

Our Correspondent

Itagar, July 14: Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister bam Tuki will request Governor (Acting) Tathagata Roy to defer the proposed floor test of his government scheduled on July 16 next.

Speaker bam Rebia, who also attended his office today, disclosed that the Assembly needs at least 10 to 15 days to summon a session.

“I have received the Governor’s order asking the State government to go for floor test on July 16, which is practically impossible keeping in mind the uneven topography and inclement weather besides communication bottleneck in the State,” Rebia told reporters.

The Speaker also appealed to all Congress members ‘to strengthen the hands of Tuki’ for overall development of the State.

Meanwhile, bam Tuki took over as Chief Minister today. Arriving here from New Delhi to a rousing welcome, Tuki straightway went to his office from harlagun helipad and convened a meeting with senior bureaucrats including in-charge Chief Secretary Satya Gopal.

Later, talking to reporters, Tuki disclosed that his priority would be to continue all the programmes and policies which he left incomplete before his government was ‘illegally’ ousted.

“I will continue with my pro-people development initiatives including infrastructure development, road connectivity, skill development and employment generation besides giving special thrust to health, education and security to the people,” he said.

Terming the July 13 verdict of the Supreme Court as ‘historic’, he said, “The judgment protected the Constitution of India and is a victory of democracy in the country.”

“The verdict has brought Aruchal to the attention of the entire tion which was earlier lesser known, and is good for all the political parties as they are totally protected now,” Tuki said adding, the apex court’s order has clearly defined the powers of a Governor.

Taking a dig at the opposition BJP, Tuki said some leaders tried to destabilize the popularly elected Congress government in the State and “now they are denying their involvement which has exposed their character before the people”.

When asked whether his government would demand resigtion of Governor JP Rajkhowa, Tuki said that he should take his own decision to protect the sanctity of the institution.

Replying to a query whether he is confident to win in the floor test, the chief minister emphatically said that majority of the MLAs ‘are in Congress’. He also appealed to Congress MLAs to support him for a stable government in the State as mandated by the people.

The 60-member state assembly has now an effective strength of 58 after two Congress members – Gabriel Deng Wangshu and Wanglam Sawin resigned in mysterious circumstances. The Congress has 45 MLAs while the Opposition BJP has 11 members and there are two Independents.

Tuki further disclosed that he had no vindictive attitude towards anybody and is in constant touch with all the party MLAs.

“I have talked with all the MLAs even as the BJP is trying to create confusion. Congress is a big party and difference in opinion is not untural,” he added.

To a question whether he would sacrifice his post if the party leadership so decides, Tuki categorically stated that he would obey whatever decision the party takes. “The party’s leadership stands by me even in the worst times,” he said.

Replying to another query on BJP’s slogan of ‘Congress-Mukt’ Northeast and the political platform of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the Chief Minister while terming it as ‘absurd’, commented that it is not possible in a multi-party democracy like India.

On the decisions taken by the Pul government in the past few months, Tuki informed that all the government policies and programmes would be reviewed with due consultation with legal experts.

During his first day in office today, Chief Minister Tuki also approved medical assistance to Punyo Tamo, a kidney patient from Lower Subansiri district.