Itanagar, February 15 (PTI): Dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul accompanied by 31 MLAs today called on Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa to stake claim for forming the next government in the crisis-hit state which is under President’s Rule.
Pul submitted a memorandum to the governor staking claim to form the government in the state, a Raj Bhawan communique said. He was accompanied by 19 Congress MLAs along with 11 BJP legislators and two independent members.
The 19 Congress MLAs included rebel Congress legislators and five Congress MLAs including Chowna Mein, CT Mein, Zingnu Namchoom, Wangki Lowang and Honchu Ngandam who claimed to be with the other group of the Congress party.
They also submitted a separate memorandum to the governor reaffirming their support to Pul. “They reaffirmed their support to the leadership of Pul to be the head of the council of ministers that may be sworn in at the end of the President rule,” the communique said.
Eleven BJP legislators led by Opposition Leader Tamiyo Taga also submitted a memorandum to the Governor stating their unconditional support to Pul. The two Independent also submitted a memorandum extending their support to Pul by affirming their support to Pul as the new leader of the house, the communique informed.
Interacting with MLAs, the Governor assured them of putting forward their claims to the President, after duly examining and consulting legal experts. It is for the President to decide whether to lift the Central Rule in the state or not and when, the Governor said.
