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Arunachal CM faces trust vote on Monday

The 28-month-old Arunachal Congress ministry headed by Gegong Apang, which has seen a virtual exodus since the New Year began, has been asked by state Governor Mata Prasad to test its strength in the floor of the house today.

The governor summoned a special session of the assembly following a split in the ruling Arunachal Congress and desertions by supporting MLAs since the New Year began.

Security has, meanwhile, been tightened in Itanagar apprehending violence during the special session, official sources said.

The breakaway Arunachal Congress-M leader Mukut Mithi had staked his claim to form a new government claiming the support of 36 MLAs in the 60-member house.

Altogether 37 members of the council of ministers have resigned in the past 10 days in protest against what they allege to be a ''28-month-long misrule of Apang.''

Eight independent associate members of the ruling Arunachal Congress had also dissociated themselves from the party and extended unconditional support to Mithi, he claimed.

The special session would start with the governor's address. Assembly sources said since it was the first session of a calendar year it is mandatory for the governor to address the house. The chief minister is likely to move a one-line motion of confidence after the governor's address, they added.

Mithi has claimed that the government was reduced to a minority as 20 of the 37 ministers have resigned during the past week in protest against the ''misrule'' of Apang. Eight independents, who were associate members of the ruling Arunachal Congress, have also dissociated from the party and extended their unconditional support to his leadership, he added.

Meanwhile, the ruling party has moved the Supreme Court challenging the governor's decision not to dissolve the assembly as recommended by the chief minister on January 10.

Finance Minister Tahung Tatak had earlier filed a petition in the Guwahati high court against the governor's decision. The high court has fixed January 19 for hearing the case.

The governor has already apprised the Union home ministry of the political developments in the state.

The crisis began on January 1 when seven ministers belonging to the Nyishi community resigned en masse, charging Apang with adopting a ''divide and rule'' policy and following dynasty rule. All MLAs, including six ministers, and chairman of the state planning board belonging to Tirap and Changlang districts also followed suit the next day.

UNI

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