Congress hails verdict, warns Centre against ‘misuse of power’

The Congress on Wednesday hit out at the Narendra Modi government at the Centre over the Supreme Court’s verdict on Arunachal Pradesh with Congress president Sonia Gandhi saying it will deter it from “misuse of power”. The party also demanded the immediate sacking of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa.

“Those who had trampled upon constitutional propriety and democratic norms have been defeated today,” Sonia said, after the Apex Court quashed all decisions of the Governor that had precipitated the Nabam Tuki government’s fall in January, holding them “violative” of the Constitution.

She hoped that the judgement, which firmly establishes democratic values enshrined in the Constitution, will deter the Union government from any further “misuse” of power, even as she reaffirmed Congress’ resolve to continue its fight to strengthen democracy and safeguard the federal structure. “This judgement, that firmly establishes the democratic values enshrined in our Constitution, will deter the Union government from any further misuse of power,” she said.

She also welcomed the “historic” verdict reinstating the “democratically elected and unconstitutionally removed” government in Arunachal Pradesh and congratulated the people of the state for it. Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi also hit out at Modi, saying it explains to him what democracy is. “Thank you Supreme Court for explaining to the Prime Minister what democracy is,” he tweeted.

In a blow to BJP and the Centre, the Apex Court ordered restoration of the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh by quashing as “unconstitutional” the Governor’s decision to advance the Legislative Assembly session by a month in December last.

Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat, who too had got SC relief and again taken charge of the state government, said: “My heartfelt gratitude to the Supreme Court for restoring Cong gov in Arunachal Pradesh. Judiciary has restored faith of people in democracy.” 

Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh termed it as the “biggest-ever” victory of democratically-elected governments, saying it is also a message for those trying to topple Congress-ruled dispensations in the states.

Hailing the Supreme Court verdict, he said judiciary prevails and the law of the land is above all conspiracies. Singh, who is facing a disproportionate assets case and had accused the BJP of attempting to topple his government.

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict, which paved way for reinstating the Congress government in the state. Tuki, who is camping in Delhi, said he had full faith in the judiciary.