Short of numbers, Congress works on Plan B' to retain power in Arunachal
New Delhi In a dramatic move, Nabam Tuki took charge as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister on Wednesday at Arunachal Bhavan in New Delhi, just hours after the Supreme Court restored the Congress government led by him in the state.
While celebrations echoed at the Arunachal Bhavan, the Congress now faces an uphill task to hold on to the reins of powers in the hill state – proving majority on the floor. Congress leaders are now scrambling to ensure they have the numbers to run a stable government in Arunachal.
Read: Supreme Court restores Congress rule in Arunachal Pradesh, blow to BJP
Nabam Tuki who will be in Itangar on Thursday to convene a meeting of council of ministers, is elated over the Supreme Court order, but his party still does not have the numbers to pass the floor test when it takes place, at least not yet.
His party is now working on a ‘Plan B’ and is even considering the eventuality of replacing Nabam Tuki as the chief minister as many MLAs in the party are reportedly unhappy with his leadership. Congress is trying to get some of its rebel MLAs back onboard to sail its boat in Arunachal.
The problem for the Congress government led by Nabam Tuki had started in December 2015 with the resignation of Pema Khandu, minister of tourism and urban development, who accused Mr Tuki of “miserably failing” in governance.
Mr Khandu’s resignation had come close on the heels of the dismissal of four senior ministers by Mr Tuki for their alleged involvement in dissident activities. Mr Tuki had also expelled present chief minister Kalikho Pul from the Congress party accusing him of engineering dissent in the party.
Congress, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60-member assembly, then suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled and the Nabam Tuki government was dismissed as it lost its majority status. Dissident leader Kalikho Pul was sworn in as the new chief minister in February after a brief spell of President’s Rule in the state.
Read: Supreme Court can’t decide CM, says Kalikho Pul
“Majority of the Congress MLAs, especially those who left, had issues with the leadership of Tuki and not with the party. We will have to find a way to make Tuki voluntarily make way for another face,” a senior Congress leader was quoted in a report.
The Congress leadership is still in touch with at least 18 of the dissident leaders, some of who are seriously considering moving back to its fold. Reports suggest that even Nabam Tuki is open to working with the rebel MLAs but is vehemently opposed to the reinstatement of 2-3 leaders.
On the other hand, most of the dissident leaders are ready to join the Congress to form the new government, most of them are opposed to Nabam Tuki’s leadership but have indicated that they have no qualms about working under a new face at the helm.
According to a report in The Indian Express, Nabam Tuki said he is also in touch with some of the rebel MLAs and even plans to speak to Kalikho Pul on the recent developments.
While it is yet to be seen if Congress manages to stitch together a strong majority, it is clear that Kalikho Pul will not be accepted into the fold after the coup against Tuki.
