ITANAGAR, Oct 7 - Arunachal Pradesh, which is facing a political upheaval over leadership issue, received another jolt with Chief Minister Nabam Tuki recommending Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa to drop four senior Ministers from his Council of Ministers.
The Chief Minister�s Office, however, declined to comment on the new development which took yesterday. The Governor, meanwhile, was out of station.
The Ministers who lost their posts include, Agriculture Minister Chowna Mein, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Cooperative Minister Kumar Waii, Women and Child Development Minister Wanglin Lowangdong and Civil Aviation Minister Thangham Wangham.
Reportedly, a large number of Congress MLAs of the total 47 in the 60-member House led by former Finance Minister Kalikho Pul have revolted against Tuki.
Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief Padi Richo, reacting to the development, said how can a legislator (Pul) who was once expelled from the party, lead the MLAs? He had also cautioned the senior leaders including Ministers and MLAs, of action for anti-party activities.
�It is the prerogative of the CM to drop any Minister but he has to cite the ground on what basis I am being dropped,� Mein said, when contacted.
�It is party�s inner democracy to oppose somebody. There could be difference in opinions but it does not mean that the person who opposes the leadership should be dropped. This is unfortunate,� Mein said.
�In the last one year there is no governance at all... finance of the State is in shambles. Being the Minister in charge, the CM should discuss the financial condition of the State in the Cabinet and should have sought suggestions from his Cabinet colleagues on ways and means to improve the State�s financial health but he never discussed with us,� Mein said.
�The Centre had sanctioned an amount of Rs 58 crore under Central schemes to my department. Surprisingly, even half of the fund was not released to the department in the last one year which is very unfortunate,� he added. �I am vocal and always point out mistakes... If being vocal is the ground for my ouster I have nothing to say,� Mein said.
He also opposed the Speaker�s acceptance of resignation from the House of two Congress MLAs, Gabriel Denang Wangsu and Wanglam Sawin, and termed the move as �murder of democracy�.
�It should be the duty of the Speaker to summon them in person after receipt of the resignation letters to know the reason. But the Speaker instead of doing it terminated them from the Assembly which is not justified,� he said.
Surprised at being dropped from the Cabinet, Lowangdong said �It is the prerogative of the CM but I have been dropped without any information or given a chance to be heard.�
�As a minister whatever responsibility was entrusted to me, I worked with sincerity, honesty and dedication for the betterment of the people and State�s speedy development,� he said.
However, two other ousted Ministers, Wangham and Waii could not be contacted for their comments. � PTI
