No floor test for Congress in Arunachal Pradesh after Khandu replaces Tuki; new date to be issued soon

Congress’ floor test for proving majority in Arunachal Pradesh has been cancelled for today, after Pema Khandu replaced Nabam Tuki as CLP chief. The Governor suspended the process until new date is issued; even as Pema Khandu had reached Raj Bhavan earlier along with 44 supporting MLAs to stake claim to form new government.

Nabam Tuki was replaced by Pema Khandu after he submitted his resignation as CLP leader. Governor Tathagata Roy had rejected Tuki's plea to defer the floor test on Friday.Roy also emphasised that a sense of security among the people must prevail and deterrent action must be taken to ensure foolproof law and order arrangement in the state, the communique added.

Tuki, accompanied by Home Minister Tanga Byaling, called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Friday and requested him to defer the show of strength by 10 days, saying that it was not possible to hold it at a short notice.Tuki also discussed the overall development of the state and law-and-order issues.Tuki was reinstated as the Chief Minister by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, state Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia said it would not be possible to convene a session of the Assembly at such a short notice."There is an established system (for convening a session. A letter has to come from the parliamentary affairs department and we will have to issue summons," he said.

Former chief minister Kalikho Pul, accompanied by 43 MLAs including 11 BJP and two Independent members, are slated to arrive here from Guwahati late night, sources said.The district administration has made elaborate security arrangement for the proposed floor test.