New Delhi: In a huge setback to the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the Union Cabinet’s decision earlier in the day to lift Central rule in Arunachal Pradesh to pave the way for a new government led by rebel Congress leader Kalikho Pul.
A five-judge Constitution Bench of Justices J.S. Khehar, Dipak Misra, Madn B. Lokur, Pinaki Chandra Ghose and N.V. Ramana directed the Centre to maintain the “status quo” in the state as of Wednesday.
The Bench, after hearing senior counsel Fali S. Nariman and Kapil Sibal, also summoned the records pertaining to the original disqualification proceedings initiated by then Speaker Nabam Rebia. The senior counsel urged the court to stay the Cabinet’s decision to revoke President’s Rule.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommended lifting of President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh, after Tuesday’s Supreme Court order that declined to restrain the governor from swearing in a new government in the state.
The Cabinet recommended to the President that Central rule, imposed in the state January 26, be revoked.
