GUWAHATI: Ending weeks of uncertainty in the crisis-ridden State, President’s Rule was on Friday lifted in Arunachal Pradesh and rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul sworn in as the new Chief Minister. Governor J P Rajkhowa administered the oath of office and secrecy to Pul at the Raj Bhavan in Itanagar late in the evening. MLAs belonging to his camp attended the swearing-in, but those loyal to former chief minister Nabam Tuki boycotted it.
The lifting of President’s Rule, imposed in the State on January 26, paved the way for the formation of the new government. Pul had on Monday met the Governor and staked claim to form the government.
Pul had then said that he had the support of 32 legislators, including 19 from the Congress, 11 from the BJP and two Independents. The State Assembly has 60 members, of whom 47 are from the Congress.
On Thursday, BJP legislator and Opposition leader Tamiyo Taga had said the party would provide outside support to the new government. The last few months have been marked by political uncertainty in the State in the wake of a rebellion by some Congress legislators seeking Tuki’s ouster, alleging financial mismanagement by his government. The uncertainty intensified after the Governor advanced the Winter session of the Assembly from January 14 to December 16 last year, without consulting Tuki’s government.