A political turmoil in the state of Arunachal Pradesh is set to deepen inside Parliament with the Congress determined to stall the ratification of President’s Rule in the State. Look at the catastrophe in politics, dismissal of democratically elected government was started by the Congress Party from Kerala in 1957 followed by removal of DMK and AIADMK governments in TN, and elected government in AP were perpetuated by Congress Party by getting favourable reports from party’s appointed Governors. The worst incident occurred when Indira Gandhi lost an election petition then she shamelessly imposed Emergency in the country and arrested thousands of opposition leaders in a midnight sweep throughout the country. The same political party is now talking about the murder of Democracy in Arunachal Pradesh.
In this political tug-of-war, people of the state are suffering without any reason. The Janata Dal (U) also issued a statement in support of the Congress, appealing to all non-BJP parties to unite in raising the issue in Parliament. JD (U) believes that the decision of the NDA government is an attempt to sabotage the Constitutional mandate, which is a threat to democracy. This act also shows the BJP’s mindset towards cooperative federalism. JD (U) calls upon all non-BJP parties including NDA partners Telugu Desam Party (TDP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Shiv Sena (SS) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to stand together in the hour of need and raise the issue in the upcoming budget session. The opposition enjoys comfort of numbers in the Rajya Sabha and the imposition of President’s Rule in an Opposition-run state has set the stage for a stormy Budget Session.
Meanwhile, Pranab Mukherjee approved the Union Cabinet’s recommendation for the imposition of President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh. The Supreme Court too sought response from the Centre and Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa to furnish relevant material backing their claim that there has been a failure of constitutional machinery in the sensitive border State of Arunachal Pradesh, thus warranting the proclamation of emergency by the President. The assent was given right after he hosted the traditional ‘At Home’ or reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan for French President Francois Hollande as part of the Republic Day celebrations. Rajnath Singh met the President to explain the reasons for the recommendation.
If president’s rule is not imposed and there is corrosion in the law and order situation in a border state as is feared as per the Governor’s report, the opposition will blame the central government for not taking decision. When late Indira Gandhi persuaded Nehru to dismiss the first elected communist government of E M S Namboodiripad and impose President’s Rule in Kerala, Nehru was reluctant to remove an elected government. But then ultimately, he had to yield and dismiss an elected government. This decision was highly criticized by almost all political thinkers and, even now, it stands as a blemish in his governance. I think, the man in the driver’s seat has to have that much freedom.
Now in the present scenario the question is that, why did the Congress party fail to conduct a floor test to prove its majority? When did the assembly meet last? What is the legal position of a petition filed in SC well before the promulgation of the President’s Rule? Is there no breakdown of the constitutional machinery in Arunachal Pradesh for more than 8 months now, commencing with the sacking of the ministers that saw increase in the number of dissidents in Congress party that was reduced to a minority? Can a geographically sensitive border state be allowed to remain without a popular/ majority government due to political infighting among the Congress party members and suffer from imposed administrative paralysis for such a long period?
Arunachal Pradesh is a border state and strategically crucial for national security like J&K. Lack of proper administration widens its porosity, which consequently would lead to free access to lurking hostile elements. Even if, the opposition were to unite and stall parliamentary proceedings, then the status quo in Arunachal Pradesh would lead to the deterioration of the law and order situation as has been complained by the governor. Either Congress recovers the governance or the President’s Rule should be allowed to continue till the stable government is formed, so that Arunachal Pradesh does not develop gangrene against Indian security.
