Arunachal does not know what to do with ‘SC-erased’ political history

Nabam Tuki, who resigned as CM three days after the SC reinstated his Congress government on Wednesday, indicated these 183 days between December 15 and July 13 would selectively become official.

Should Arunachal Pradesh record 183 days of political developments till July 13 when the Supreme Court turned the clock back to what the scenario was till December 15 last year?

Nabam Tuki, who resigned as CM three days after the SC reinstated his Congress government on Wednesday, indicated these 183 days between December 15 and July 13 would selectively become official.(PTI file)

Officials are at a loss and so are academics and the common people.

Nabam Tuki, who resigned as CM three days after the SC reinstated his Congress government on Wednesday, indicated these 183 days between December 15 and July 13 would selectively become official. “We will review the decisions taken during this period and would like to continue with the initiatives taken for the benefit of the people and the state,” he said.

Kalikho Pul ruled as CM for 146 of the 183 days between February 19 and July 13.

“But the point is, whether or not we can call Pul an ex-CM since, according to the SC, his tenure does not exist,” Itanagar-based filmmaker Chopa Cheda said, adding, “This is all so confusing.”

Nani Bath, professor of political science at Rajiv Gandhi University near Itanagar said, “The SC verdict was given without taking the ground realities into consideration. The apex court will now have to find a way out for recording the political history of Arunachal Pradesh that its order has effectively erased.”

The December 15-July 13 period saw rebel Congress MLAs headed by Pul, besides BJP and independent legislators, hold a controversial assembly to “impeach” Speaker Nabam Rebia and “vote out” Tuki.