Congress disrupts Parliament saying political row in Arunachal Pradesh is undemocratic
The party, which rules the state, said the situation there was alarming after some of its MLAs joined hands with the BJP to oust the Assembly Speaker.
The ongoing political tussle in Arunachal Pradesh became the latest issue Congress used to disrupt Parliament proceedings on Thursday. The party forced two adjournments during Question Hour, saying the state’s Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa was trying to destabilise the Congress-led government there. Congress MPs said the developments were alarming for regional parties and democracy, PTI reported.
On Wednesday, a rebel group of Congress MLAs had joined Bharatiya Janata Party legislators and moved to impeach Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia. The proceedings took place at a makeshift venue with Deputy Speaker T Norbu Thongdok presiding. With 27 MLAs walking out in protest, Rebia called the move “illegal and unconstitutional”.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said these developments were unprecedented. However, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said Congress members could not criticise a state governor in Parliament.
The Congress has been alleging that the Narendra Modi government is trying to oust the party in the state through Rajkhowa and BJP MLAs. On Wednesday, a group of Congress leaders, including party President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, led a delegation to President Pranab Mukherjee and lodged a protest against the governor.
On Thursday, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Nabam Tuki wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee, asking them to intervene.