File photo of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.
The political developments in Arunachal Pradesh created heat in the Lok Sabha today with Congress members accusing the central government of "killing democracy" by attempting to split the state legislature party, a charge stoutly denied by the Centre.'
Raising the matter in the Lok Sabha, Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge said there was a "constitutional crisis" in Arunachal Pradesh and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating a divide among the Congress lawmakers in the state.
"What is happening in Arunachal Pradesh in undemocratic, unconstitutional. They are killing democracy, destroying democracy... Can a Governor interfere in the internal matters of a government," Mr Kharge said making a scathing attack on the role of the Governor.
Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, however, ordered that all remarks against the Governor should be expunged.
"Congress has two-third MLAs, 47 MLAs in the legislative assembly... This government is behaving in a way such that they divide the Congress... They have removed the Speaker...They want to form government in the state," Mr Kharge alleged.
"Few days back Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has said 'D' stands for disruption. But here 'D' stands for destroying democracy," Mr Kharge said, as the Congress staged a walk out from the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said "there is no role of the Central Government. On Wednesday, the Chief Minister went to meet the Governor for discussions, but there they accused and abused the Governor. They are bringing shame.
"They have locked the Assembly, surprising things are happening. You may quit if you don't have majority. You cannot discuss the conduct of the Governor... Decision of Governor cannot be questioned. They are abusing Governor and accusing the Government, this is not acceptable... If they have any problem they should go to the Court," Mr Naidu said.
He said the Governor has "acted within the Constitution and he has been informing the President (of the happenings)".
Mr Naidu also attacked Congress for disrupting the Question House and said the party was bringing adjournment motions even on such topics like 'Tourism in Bihar'. "There should be seriousness, let us respect the Chair and the House".
"Every time they create uproar in the House, they give such slogans 'Loktantra ki hatya ho raha hai' (murder of democracy), who is murdering?... They take the name of the Prime Minister... This is not right," Mr Naidu said.