Congress leaders meet president over Arunachal issue

New Delhi, Feb 16 The Congress on Tuesday urged President Pranab Mukherjee not to accept any recommendation from the government to revoke President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh, saying Governor J.P. Rajkhowa intends to swear in a rebel leader of the party as chief minister even though former chief minister Nabam Tuki had a majority in the assembly.

The party submitted a memorandum to the president and said the BJP has been attempting to destabilise the legitimately elected government in Arunachal Pradesh.

The memorandum was signed by Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The party urged the president not to take into consideration any recommendation from the home ministry, saying the purpose of withdrawing the proclamation of January 26 was to render pending proceedings before the Supreme Court infructuous.

The party said a press release from the governor's secretariat proves that he will forward the claim of Kalikho Pul, the dissent party leader, to form the government with support of 11 BJP legislators and two independent legislators.

"It has been learnt from reliable sources that the ministry of home affairs is likely to place a report before you (for) withdrawal of proclamation dated January 26, 2016 issued under Article 356 of the Constitution imposing President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh," the memorandum said.

It said writ petitions assailing the proclamation of January 26 were also pending before the apex court.

"Along with the withdrawal of the proclamation, the governor intends to swear in Kalikho Pul as the new chief minister. This is an attempt to render the Supreme Court proceedings infructuous," the memorandum said.

The party said any alteration in the status quo will be detrimental to the accepted democratic norms.

"The office of the president should not be brought into controversy by such ill-advised action. It is requested that you may not take any action on the request for withdrawal of the president's proclamation on the basis of recommendation, if any, made by the governor/union cabinet," the memorandum said.