In a major blow to the Narendra Modi government, the Supreme Court on Wednesday restored Congress rule in Arunachal Pradesh and declared the Governor’s decision to dismiss the Nabam Tuki government illegal, a warning for BJP to respect peoples’ verdict and not encourage undemocratic practices. The verdict restores the political status quo in the northeastern state as on 15th December, 2015. The Bench headed by Justice J. S Khehar said the “clock should be turned back” in Arunachal Pradesh. The Arunachal Pradesh Government was dismissed after 21 MLAs rebelled against Tuki. The leader of the dissident faction, Kalikho Pul, was sworn in as Chief Minister on 19th February with the support of Congress rebels and 11 BJP lawmakers. The verdict, which comes two months after similar blow to the BJP in Uttarakhand, is crucial not only for Arunachal Pradesh, but will also define the power relations between the Centre and the states. The Supreme Court five-Judge Constitutional Bench deliberated on the legality of the incumbent state government in Arunachal Pradesh. After the state went through a constitutional crisis in 2015 which led to the President’s Rule and eventually fall of the Nabam Tuki government, the Supreme Court was to decide whether the Governor had the power to call a special session of the Assembly without consultation with the Cabinet. On one side, Union Government showcased its intent to pursue cooperative federalism by scrapping Planning Commission and bringing Niti Aayog, curtailing the central-sponsored schemes, enhancing the states share in Centre’s divisible pool of taxes from 32 per cent to 42 per cent thereby giving more flexibility in funds utilisation in many speeches of our Prime Minister but on other, was the state government of Arunachal Pradesh given a fair chance to prove majority on the floor of the House?
