Kalikho Pul sworn in as Arunachal Pradesh CM, says he always trusted 'judiciary'

With the President's rule having been lifted in Arunachal Pradesh, dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul was sworn in as the state's new Chief Minister today.

"Expansion of the cabinet will happen after a thorough discussion with my fellow ministers and his Excellency. Want to thank the President for taking timely action over the law and order problem that lasted here. He acted swiftly by imposing the Presidents' rule and after that, the Governor handled the situation quite well, even the public is happy now," Pul told ANI here after the swearing in ceremony.

Asserting that he always had faith on the judiciary to ensure that calm and order was returned to the state, Pul added that development was on top of his priority list as Chief Minister.

Talking about former chief minister Nabam Tuki crying foul over Pul's swearing in, he added that the state government will work with the former in sorting out any lasting problems.

"Thank the people of Arunachal Pradesh for having faith during the turmoil that lasted for 12-13 months and supporting the change of leadership in the state," Pul said.

State Governor J. P. Rajkhowa told ANI after the ceremony, that divisive forces had tried to create a controversy in the run up to the change in state leadership.

"Controversies were created by people having vested interests. They were even trying to mislead the honourable Supreme Court by giving false information," he said.

Meanwhile, Tuki has written a letter to Rajkhowa, urging the latter to reinstate him as the chief minister of the state as he is the leader of Congress legislature party in the state.

Asserting that he has been authorised by the Congress Party to stake claim to form government, Tuki said that the council of ministers should be restored as it was before the imposition of the President's rule in the state.

"Your Excellency may kindly note that no other person has been authorised by the Congress legislature party to stake claim to form the government of Congress party and any such claim would be violation of party discipline and would be in breach of the Tenth schedule of the Constitution," the letter said.

The Union cabinet had on Wednesday decided to recommend revocation of President's rule in the state but within hours the Supreme Court ordered that status quo be maintained till it examined records on the disqualification of the 14 rebel MLAs.

The revolt by Congress rebels led to a political crisis in the state that finally led to imposition of President's Rule on January 26. (ANI)