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Journalism of Courage
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today told the Rajya Sabha that a clear picture was yet to emerge on the situation in Arunachal Pradesh before the Centre could decide whether to impose President’s Rule in the state.
The Governor, V.C. Pande, had earlier recommended President’s Rule in the state only to advise against it the next day.
Pande alleged that he was ‘‘gheraoed’’ in the Raj Bhawan and made to sign one of the reports under duress.
Patil refused to reveal whether the Centre would impose President’s Rule in the state, saying ‘‘the incident surrounding the Governor’s conflicting stand’’ was still not clear. ‘‘We sat seeking details of the incidents last night. Today, too, we did not have many details, and the picture still remains hazy to me,’’ Patil told BJP leaders.
According to the Home Minister, a day after Pande dissolved the House on July 6, he met 25 former ministers — 13 of whom belonged to Congress, 10 to BJP and two Independents — at the Raj Bhawan reportedly for seven hours.
The legislators alleged that the Chief Minister recommended the dissolution of the House to prevent an inquiry by the House Committee into a major financial scam.
It was after this meeting that the Governor sent a report to the Centre, recommending President’s Rule. However, the next day, Pande sent another report, advising against imposition of President’s Rule.
The Governor claimed that he was ‘‘abused and threatened’’, and forced to sign on the letter.
Patil said it was still not clear ‘‘who drafted the first letter, and under what conditions the Governor signed on the letter.’’
He added that it was still a mystery as to why the police were not called if the Governor was threatened and abused as alleged by the BJP. ‘‘But I am sorry to say that the Governor’s ADC (aide-de-camp) was drunk at the time,’’ the Home Minister said. ‘‘Had you not asked me, I would not have disclosed this,’’ he added.
