View source for 2015 2016 Arunachal Pradesh political crisis

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox event
| title                    = 2015–2016 Arunachal Pradesh political crisis
| image                    = 
| image_size               = 
| caption                  = 
| native_name              = 
| native_name_lang         = 
| english_name             = 
| date                     = 
| time                     = 
| duration                 = {{start date|df=yes|2015|04|01}} – {{end date|df=yes|2016|12|31}}
| venue                    = 
| place                    = [[Arunachal Pradesh]], India
| coordinates              = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}} -->
| also known as            = 
| type                     = political
| theme                    = 
| cause                    = Political crisis due to rebellion within party Indian National Congress
| budget                   = 
| patron                   =  <!-- or | patrons = -->
| organisers               =  <!-- or | organizers = -->
| first reporter           = 
| filmed by                = 
| participants             = 
| outcome                  = Indian National Congress lost the majority, brief rule of rebel fraction of INC, en masse switch over to PPA and later to BJP
| reported deaths          = 
| reported injuries        = 
| reported missing         = 
| reported property damage = 
| burial                   = 
| inquiries                = 
| inquest                  = 
| coroner                  = 
| arrests                  = 
| suspects                 = 
| accused                  = 
| convicted                = 
| charges                  = 
| verdict                  = 
| convictions              = 
| publication bans         = 
| litigation               = 
| awards                   = 
| url                      = 
| blank_label              = 
| blank_data               = 
| blank1_label             = 
| blank1_data              = 
| blank2_label             = 
| blank2_data              = 
| website                  = <!-- {{URL|example.com}}, use for link to event website; displays as Website: example.com -->
| notes                    = 
}}
Starting April 2015, Indian state of [[Arunachal Pradesh]] underwent a political crisis. The [[Indian National Congress]] Chief Minister Nabam Tuki replaced [[Jarbom Gamlin]] as the [[Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh]] on 1 November 2011 and continued till January 2016. After a political crisis in 2016, the [[President's rule]] was imposed ending his tenure as the chief minister. In February 2016, [[Kalikho Pul]] became the Chief Minister when 14 disqualified MLAs were reinstated by the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]]. On 13 July 2016, the Supreme Court quashed the Arunachal Pradesh Governor [[Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa|J.P. Rajkhowa]]’s order to advance the Assembly session from 14 January 2016 to 16 December 2015, which resulted in President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh. As a result, Tuki restored as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on 13 July 2016. But hours before proving majority, he resigned as the Chief Minister on 16 July 2016. He was succeeded by [[Pema Khandu]] as the INC Chief Minister but later joined PPA in September 2016 along with majority MLAs. He further joined BJP in December 2016 along with majority MLAs.

==Background==

[[Indian National Congress]] (INC), a major state party, leader [[Nabam Tuki]] succeeded [[Jarbom Gamlin]] as the [[Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh]] on 1 November 2011. His brother [[Nabam Rebia]] became the Speaker of [[Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly]].<ref name="Talukdar 2011">{{cite web | last=Talukdar | first=Sushanta | title=Nabam Tuki sworn in as Chief Minister | website=The Hindu | date=2011-11-01 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nabam-tuki-sworn-in-as-chief-minister/article2588219.ece | accessdate=2017-01-03}}</ref> In [[ Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, 2014|April 2014 state assembly election]], the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) secured the majority with 42 seats in the 60-seat legislature and Nabam Tunki continued as the Chief Minister. In December 2014, Nabam Tuki dropped [[Kalikho Pul]] from his cabinet where he was the minister of Health and Family welfare.<ref name="history">{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/arunachal-pradesh-how-a-rebellion-spun-out-of-control/|title=Arunachal Pradesh crisis: How a rebellion spun out of control|publisher=Indian Express|date=27 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="Hindu2016">{{cite web | title=Arunachal political crisis: A timeline | website=[[The Hindu]] | date=30 December 2016 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Arunachal-political-crisis-A-timeline/article14983750.ece | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref>

==Crisis==
In April 2015, Pul alleged financial mismanagement in the government. INC expelled him from the party citing activities against the party. On 1 June 2015, [[Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa]] was appointed as the [[Governor of Arunachal Pradesh]]. The fifth session of legislative assembly concluded on 21 October 2015. The Governor ordered to summon the sixth session on 14 January 2016. During the same month, ruling party INC's [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]s demanded resolution to remove Deputy Speaker who had rebelled. In response, [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) MLAs demanded resolution to remove the Speaker. On 9 December 2015, the Governor ordered to advance the sixth session from 14 January 2016 to 16 December 2015. On 15 December 2015, the Speaker issued notice disqualifying 14 of 21 INC MLAs who had rebelled against the party but the same day the notice was overturned by the Deputy Speaker. The Speaker decided to not commence the sixth session the next day which was cited illegal by the Deputy Speaker. The Tuki Government locked the assembly to not commence the session on 16 December 2015. The assembly met in a community hall which was attended by 33 MLAs. The resolution was passed to remove Nabam Rebia as the Speaker and the new Speaker was appointed. The next day, the community hall was razed so the rebel INC MLAs hold meeting in hotel and voted to remove Tuki as the Chief Minister and appointed [[Kalikho Pul]] as the new Chief Minister. The same day Rebia moved to [[Gauhati High Court]] (HC) to keep the assembly and the related issues in abeyance.<ref name="Hindu2016"/><ref name="dismiss">{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-arunachal-pradesh-crisis-cm-nabam-tuki-ministers-dismissed-following-president-s-rule-imposition-2171022|title=Arunachal Pradesh crisis: CM Nabam Tuki, ministers dismissed following President's Rule imposition|publisher=DNA|date=27 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/if-democracy-is-slaughtered-how-can-the-court-remain-silent-supreme-court-on-arunachal-crisis-2612848.html|title='If democracy is slaughtered, how can the court remain silent?': Supreme Court on Arunachal crisis|publisher=First Post|date=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="The Hinducv2015">{{cite web | title=Unseemly turn in Arunachal Pradesh | website=The Hindu | date=19 December 2015 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/unseemly-turn-in-arunachal-pradesh/article8005321.ece | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref>

In January 2016, the HC stayed the disqualification of 14 INC MLAs. On 6 January 2016, the [[Supreme Court of India]] (SC) agreed to hear the plea of Rebia. On 13 January 2016, he SC also ordered not to hold proceeding in Assembly till 18 January 2016. The next day, the SC referred the issue to the Constitution Bench. The SC started examination of the constitutional scope of discretionary powers of the Governor. In SC, INC told on 18 January 2016 that the Governor could not act on a resolution by opposition BJP MLAs and two other independent to advance the session. On 25 January 2016, INC also moved to SC on recommendation by the Governor for the [[President's Rule]] in Arunachal Pradesh. The Central Cabinet recommended the [[President's Rule]] the next day and it was imposed. The next day SC scrutinised the recommendation and sought the report of the Governor for such recommendation. On 28 January 2016, Nabam Tuki filed fresh plea in SC against the President's rule. The next day, the Central Government filed affidavit justifying the President's rule citing the breakdown in state.<ref name="Hindu2016"/><ref name="dna 2016">{{cite web | title=Arunachal Pradesh crisis: CM Nabam Tuki, ministers dismissed following President's Rule imposition | website=dna | date=28 January 2016 | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-arunachal-pradesh-crisis-cm-nabam-tuki-ministers-dismissed-following-president-s-rule-imposition-2171022 | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref>

On 1 February 2016, the SC recalled the notice which granted the immunity to the Governors in courts. The SC reviewed the powers of governor and examined the role. On 9 February 2016, the SC also rejected the plea of two rebel MLAs against the HC decision of upholding action of the then Speaker accepting their resignations. The Governor defended by responding that the Chief Minister and the Speaker were trying to remain in position despite losing majority in the assembly. The SC also rejected INC plea to stop swearing-in of the new Chief Minister and also uphold the HC's staying of disqualification of 14 rebel INC MLAs. The President's rule lifted in the state on 19 February and the new government was formed under the Chief Minister [[Kalikho Pul]]. The SC reserved order on the power of governor on 22 February 2016.<ref name="Hindu2016"/>

On 13 July 2016, the SC termed the Governor's decision unconstitutional and ordered the restoration of INC government. The Acting Governor [[Tathagata Roy]] asked the restored Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to prove majority in the assembly on 16 July 2016. On the day, few hours before proving the majority, Tuki resigned. He was succeeded by rebel INC MLA [[Pema Khandu]], son of former Chief Minister [[Dorjee Khandu]] and proved majority in assembly.<ref name="Hindu2016"/><ref name="TOIBJP2017"/><ref name="PTI 2015">{{cite web | author=PTI | title=Congress rebel chosen new Arunachal ‘Chief Minister’ | website=The Hindu | date=17 December 2015 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/congress-rebel-chosen-new-arunachal-chief-minister/article8000421.ece | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref>

On 9 August 2016, the former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul found dead in his home.<ref name="Hindu2016"/><ref name="TOIBJP2017"/>

On 16 September 2016, Pema Khandu quit INC along with 43 INC MLAs and joined the [[People's Party of Arunachal]] (PPA). Nabam Tuki, Khandu's predecessor, was the only MLA left with INC. PPA was the part of [[North-East Democratic Alliance]] which supported BJP-led [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]]. On 22 September 2016, the Governor Rajkhowa was dismissed by the President as he refused to quit as desired by the Centre. Dasanglu Pul, the third wife of former Chief Minister Phul, won the byepolls held following Pul's death. She was elected as the MLA of BJP. On 29 December 2016, Pema Khandu and six other MLAs were dismissed from the PPA by the PPA president for activities against the party so he might have to resign as the Chief Minister. Four more MLAs were dismissed on 1 January 2017. Khandu along with 33 other MLAs left PPA and joined BJP. He continued as the Chief Minister as the BJP had 47 MLAs in the assembly including the Speaker. PPA had 10 MLAs while INC had 3 MLAs.<ref name="Hindu2016"/><ref name="TOIBJP2017">{{cite web | title=BJP in power in Arunachal after 33 MLAs switch sides | website=Times Of India Blogs | date=1 January 2017 | url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-news/bjp-in-power-in-arunachal-after-33-mlas-switch-sides/ | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref> Later two more MLAs left INC and joined BJP.<ref name="ht2017">{{cite web | title=Two Congress lawmakers defect to BJP in Arunachal Pradesh | website=[[Hindustan Times]] | date=2 January 2017 | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-congress-lawmakers-defect-to-bjp-in-arunachal-pradesh/story-ciSH7raF4nliJXPgI8r7gK.html | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref>

PPA filed the case in the HC in January 2016.<ref name="Hindu2016"/>

== Chief Ministers during the period ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" | S No.
! scope="col" | Name
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Term
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Party{{efn|This column only names the chief minister's party. The state government he heads may be a complex coalition of several parties and independents; these are not listed here.}}
! scope="col" | Tenure<br>{{small|(days)}}
|- style="height: 60px;"
| 6
| [[Jarbom Gamlin]]
| 5 May 2011
| 1 November 2011
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| style="background-color: {{Indian National Congress/meta/color}}" width="4px" |
| 181
|- style="height: 60px;"
| 7
| [[Nabam Tuki]]
| 1 November 2011
| 26 January 2016
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| style="background-color: {{Indian National Congress/meta/color}}" width="4px" |
| {{age in days|2011|11|1|2016|1|26}}
|- style="height: 60px;"
| –
| ''Vacant''{{efn|[[President's rule]] may be imposed when the "government in a state is not able to function as per the Constitution", which often happens because no party or coalition has a majority in the assembly. When President's rule is in force in a state, its council of ministers stands dissolved. The office of chief minister thus lies vacant, and the administration is taken over by the governor, who functions on behalf of the central government. At times, the legislative assembly also stands dissolved.<ref>Amberish K. Diwanji. "[http://www.rediff.co.in/news/2005/mar/15spec1.htm A dummy's guide to President's rule]". [[Rediff.com]]. 15 March 2005.</ref>}}<br />([[President's rule]])
| 26 January 2016
| 19 February 2016
| N/A
| style="background-color: white" width="4px" |
| {{age in days|2016|1|26|2016|2|19}}
|- style="height: 60px;"
| 8
| [[Kalikho Pul]]
| 19 February 2016
| 13 July 2016
| [[Peoples Party of Arunachal|People's Party of Arunachal]]
| style="background-color: green" width="4px" |
| {{age in days|2016|02|19|2016|07|13}}
|- style="height: 60px;"
| (7)
| [[Nabam Tuki]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://abpnews.abplive.in/uncategorized/supreme-court-restores-nabam-tuki-government-in-arunachal-pradesh-412062/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329092607/https://abpnews.abplive.in/uncategorized/supreme-court-restores-nabam-tuki-government-in-arunachal-pradesh-412062 |archive-date=29 March 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| 13 July 2016
| 17 July 2016
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| style="background-color: {{Indian National Congress/meta/color}}" width="4px" |
| {{age in days|2016|07|13|2016|07|17}}
|- style="height: 60px;"
| rowspan="3" | 9
| rowspan="3" | [[Pema Khandu]]
| 17 July 2016<ref>"[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/congress-pema-khandu-to-be-sworn-in-as-chief-minister-of-arunachal-pradesh-today/article8862082.ece Pema Khandu sworn in as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh]". ''[[The Hindu]]''. 17 July 2016.</ref>
|16 September 2016
| [[Indian National Congress]]
| style="background-color: {{Indian National Congress/meta/color}}" width="4px" |
| rowspan="3" |{{ayd|2016|7|17}}
|- style="height: 60px;"
|16 September 2016 <ref>"Times of India" 16/9/16</ref>
|31 December 2016
| [[Peoples Party of Arunachal|People's Party of Arunachal]]
| style="background-color: green" width="4px" |
|- style="height: 60px;"
|31 December 2016<ref>{{cite news|last=Shankar Bora|first=Bijay|title=Arunachal CM Pema Khandu joins BJP, ends political crisis|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/nation/arunachal-cm-pema-khandu-joins-bjp-ends-political-crisis/344214.html|accessdate=31 December 2016|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|location=Arunachal Pradesh|date=31 December 2016}}</ref>
|
| [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| style="background-color: {{Bharatiya Janata Party/meta/color}}" width="4px" |
|}

==Notes and references==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===References===
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2015-2016 Arunachal Pradesh political crisis}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=History of Arunachal Pradesh, 2015 in Indian politics, 2016 in Indian politics, Politics of Arunachal Pradesh, Political crises in India
|description=
}}

[[Category:History of Arunachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:2015 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:2016 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:Politics of Arunachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Political crises in India]]