Suspense over Central rule in Arunachal

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday asked questions about the need to bring Arunachal Pradesh under Central rule, a decision that was challenged by the Congress in the Supreme Court which will hear the case on Wednesday.

Suspense mounted a day after the Cabinet decided to impose the President's rule with Mukherjee calling Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh when he is believed to have raised some queries on the urgency over the action, especially when the apex court was seized of the matter. The President is also said to be considering seeking legal opinion before taking a final call.

A delegation of Congress leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge and Kapil Sibal, on Monday submitted a memorandum in which the party said that this is for the first time that a decision to impose President's rule has been taken in the midst of a court hearing. They also enclosed a "summary of events" detailing the "disquieting events leading to the Governor's illegal actions".

"The Constitution is being trampled upon. Just two days before the Republic Day, the Union Cabinet is taking such a decision. We will fight an all-out war. We will fight in Parliament, in court and along with people. Will tell them how democracy is being endangered", Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters.

Sibal, a noted lawyer, said it was "shocking" that the Arunachal Governor had recommended President's rule in the state in spite of an assurance by his lawyer in the Supreme Court that "no precipitate action" would be taken.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court decided to hear on January 27 the Congress plea challenging the Cabinet decision. The petition seeking urgent hearing was mentioned before Chief Justice T S Thakur, at his residence, who directed the matter to be listed for hearing on Wednesday.