Tuki reinstated as Arunachal CM, asked to prove majority by July 16

Itanagar/Guwahati, July 14 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Governor Tathagata Roy on Thursday reinstated Nabam Tuki as Chief Minister and asked him to prove his majority on the floor of the assembly by July 16, an official said.

"In obedience of the Supreme Court judgement of July 13, the Governor has informed Nabam Tuki that he stands reinstated as the Chief Minister of the state on and with effect from that date," Raj Bhawan Spokesperson Atum Potom said in Itanagar.

Tuki has also been asked to call the state assembly session immediately and to prove his majority in the house no later than July 16.

In order to ensure that the proceedings of the assembly may take place peacefully and otherwise appropriately, Roy, who is the acting Governor during the absence of Governor J.P. Rajkhowa, desired that proceedings be videographed throughout and the majority proved by division and not by voice vote, Potom said, adding that a note to this effect has also been sent to the assembly secretary.

"The Governor emphasised that the conduct of the proceedings, including the videography, in the House shall strictly follow the principles laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in its order dated May 6, 2016 in the matter pertaining to the matter of imposition of President's Rule in the State of Uttarakhand (SLP C 11567/2016) Union of India Vs Harish Chandra Singh Rawat," he said.

Meanwhile, Kalikho Pul, who unseated Tuki in February this year, unseating Tuki, claimed that he is the Chief Minister of the state as he has got the numbers to prove majority in the house.

"Even if the apex court has given a verdict, one needs to prove the majority in the floor of the house. As of now I have the support of 43 legislators (including he himself). The 43 includes 30 MLAs of the Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), 11 BJP legislators and two Independents. These 43 legislators are with me and we are united," Pul said while addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Thursday.

He said that Tuki has support of 15 Congress legislators only as of now.

Tuki however claimed to have the support of the majority of the legislators and said that he would be able to prove his majority.

"The SC verdict yesterday (on Thursday) directed the status quo ante in Arunachal Pradesh as it prevailed on December 15, 2015. My government was a majority government with 47 MLAs elected by the people of Arunachal Pradesh. Some of our friends have deserted the Congress and joined other party. However, with the SC verdict, I appeal all of them to return to the party fold," Tuki said.