Ahead of floor test, Nabam Rebia quits as Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker

By Pradeep Kumar Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), July 19 (ANI): Speaker of the Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly Nabam Rebia submitted his resignation to Deputy Speaker Tsering Norbu Thongdok on Tuesday to facilitate an impartial conduct of the floor test by Congress Chief Minister Pema Khandu on the floor of the House on Wednesday. Earlier, AICC general secretary in charge of Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. C P Joshi and his AICC colleague Mukul Wasnik told 45 Congress legislators attending a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting at the Hotel Ashoka here today that Congress Party in Arunachal Pradesh had proved the value of democracy to India and its citizens by defeating a divisive force like the BJP. Both AICC leaders exhorted state Congress legislators, particularly CLP leader and Chief Minister Pema Khandu to ensure that the party and the government function coherently for the greater welfare of the state and its people. The BJP has been trying to make a backdoor entry in the north eastern region, as it is aware that it is not possible for it to win electorally, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Padi Richo quoted them, as saying. "The popular vote was in favour of the Congress. Prove it in all your actions instead of disheartening the Janta Janardan," they said without mincing any words. Describing former chief minister Nabam Tuki as a cadre-based grassroots-level politician beginning his career as a National Students Union of India (NSUI) president and rising to the rank of chief minister, Wasnik said, "He is well aware of the functioning of the party and its responsibility." Chief Minister Khandu reiterated his commitment to let his government function effectively for the greater welfare of the masses with the help of the party. Richo said all steps would be ensured to meet the aspirations of the masses. However, when asked about the purpose of their visit to the state, Dr. Joshi and Wasnik said, "We only came to meet the new chief minister Khandu and are happy to announce that he would fly the Congress flag higher." The duo had arrived in Itanagar on Monday as AICC observers to join AICC secretary Dr Jaykumar, who had arrived here with Tuki on July 14. (ANI)