Nabam Tuki puts onus on Governor to give more time for floor test

Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), July 15 (ANI): Putting onus on Arunachal Pradesh acting Governor Tathagata Roy to provide more time for floor test, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Friday said if the time is extended, the Congress would prove its majority in the House. "I have asked for at least ten days time to prove my majority in the House. This is rainy season and it is difficult to move from one place to another. Most of the MLAs are also out of station. We have requested them to come today or tomorrow. Because of lack of time, some may not able to reach on time. Therefore, I requested His Excellency for time," Tuki told the media here. "He said he will examine and consult. After that he will get back to me again. I am waiting for the confirmation. If the time is extended, I will prove my majority in the House. If time is not extended, we will decide tomorrow," he added. Tuki said if the floor test takes place tomorrow or some time later on, they will abide by the Governor. "The Congress Party has the majority. 45 members will prove our confidence on the floor of the House. Within the party there can't be horse-trading. It's the party which decided whom to support," he added. A day after the Supreme Court restored the Congress Government in Arunachal Pradesh, the Governor Tathagata earlier today asked Tuki to prove his majority on the floor of the House tomorrow. Tuki earlier today called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan here where they discussed on overall development of the state and law and order issues. Sources said they also discussed on the ensuing floor test in the State Legislative Assembly to be convened tomorrow. Citing apprehension that the present state government does not command required majority in the Assembly, the Governor asked the Chief Minister to prove his majority in the floor of the state legislative assembly tomorrow. He also emphasized that sense of security amongst the people must prevail and deterrent action must be taken to ensure foolproof law and order arrangement in the state. State Home Minister Tanga Byaling was also present in the meeting. Roy, who recently took additional charge of Arunachal Pradesh after JP Rajkhowa went on leave due to ill health, yesterday officially reinstated Tuki as the Chief Minister of the state. The Governor also asked the Chief Minister to call the Legislative Assembly session immediately and prove his majority no later than July 16. An official statement from the Governor's secretariat said that in order to ensure that the proceedings of the Assembly take place peacefully and appropriately, the sessions shall be video-graphed. "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," the statement added. A five-judge constitution bench had yesterday pronounced the verdict on a bunch of petitions dealing with discretionary powers of the governor to summon or advance the assembly session. Stating the governor's direction on conducting assembly proceedings is unconstitutional, the apex court set aside all steps and decision taken by the legislative assembly pursuant to the governor's December 9th last year order and said they are unsustainable. A day after the apex court quashed "message and direction" issued by Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa, the Centre said that it would only advice the Governors as per the Constitution. Arunachal Pradesh had been under President's Rule since January 26. Tuki-led Congress government was dismissed following days of turmoil after 21 of its 47 lawmakers rebelled against the chief minister. The Congress, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MLAs backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified. (ANI)