GUWAHATI, July 14 - Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, who was forced to vacate his post following the Supreme Court order on Wednesday, expressed confidence of forming the government again albeit amid fears that the Congress may resort to horse-trading.
Addressing a press conference here today, Pul said that legal opinion are being sought to file a review petition in the apex court. He, however, reaffirmed that �the Supreme Court�s order was crystal clear and we respect it�.
�The Constitution of India is still evolving, especially in respect of Governor�s role vis-�-vis the Legislature. For the first time I am getting educated that in a matter of removal of a Speaker of the House also, the Governor has to take advice from the Cabinet. In fact, I find no answer to my own question that if the Cabinet delays the summoning of a House to impeach a Speaker, what would happen to the democratic aspirations of the majority of the House desiring to remove a Speaker? I find no answer,� Pul said.
Pul, who is claiming the support of 43 legislators, however, exuded confidence of passing the floor test in the Assembly against all odds. �I have been informed that the Governor has requested Nabam Tuki to take the floor test by July 16. I congratulate Tuki for winning the legal battle and wish him success on the floor,� he quipped.
�Despite the fact that the Congress is trying to win over legislators through horse-trading, we are confident of forming the government again,� Pul said in the presence of 43 legislators, including 30 from the People�s Party of Arunachal (PPA).
Later in the day, convenor of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies will make the Northeast �Congress-free� through the electoral process.
He said that the biggest victory of the newly-formed NEDA was that 43 legislators of the BJP and the PPA have vowed to remain together. Sarma said the ensuing elections in Meghalaya and Manipur will help inch towards making the region Congress-free.
