Congress Member Raises Arunachal Issue in LS

Members from treasury benches said that since the matter is sub-judice in the Supreme Court, it should not be discussed in the House.

NEW DELHI: A Congress member today raised in Lok Sabha the issue of recent political developments in Arunachal Pradesh and termed them as a 'blot on democracy', inviting protests from treasury benches who said the matter is sub-judice.      

"What has happened in Arunachal Pradesh is not Cooperative Federalism. It is blot on democracy," Congress MP Ninong Erring said during Zero Hour.      

The manner in which elected government was removed is a "slap on the face of democracy," he said.      "What kind of precedent will it set if Congress, Left and other opposition party support Home Minister Rajnath Singh for Prime Ministership," he said.      

Members from treasury benches said that since the matter is sub-judice in the Supreme Court, it should not be discussed in the House.      

The Supreme Court is looking into merit of Governor's role in supporting the claim of the Congress dissident leader Kalikho Pul. Pul, who had revolted against the leadership of Congress Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh last week after more than two months of political crisis, shortly after the Supreme Court paved the way for government-formation and President’s rule was lifted from the state.      

A revolt by Congress dissidents led by Pul triggered political crisis in the state that finally led to imposition of President’s rule on 26 January.      

Congress, which had 47 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers revolted against Tuki’s leadership. Two of them later resigned from the house. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified by the speaker.      

The Supreme Court is considering pleas against imposition of President’s rule in Arunachal Pradesh and also hearing petitions seeking examination of constitutional schemes on the scope of discretionary powers of the governor.      

Raising issue of US Visa, BJP MP Mahesh Giri said the government should establish dialogue with the US government and work out an agreement for relaxation of norms for Indians wanting to invest in that country.      

Expelled AAP member Dharamvir Gandhi raised the issue expenses related with Pathankot terror attack of last month.      

"The Central government has asked Punjab government to pay Rs 12 crore spent on various security measures taken to flush out militant in Pathankot airbase last month," he said.      

"The matter does not pertain only to Punjab but it is a national security issue. So the Central government should bear the expenses," he added.  

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