Arunachal verdict: Rahul Gandhi thanks SC for explaining democracy to PM

NEW DELHI: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a jibe at Narendra Modi post the Supreme Court's decision to restore the Nabam Tuki-led government in Arunachal Pradesh and thanked the apex court for explaining democracy to the Prime Minister. "Thank you Supreme Court for explaining to the Prime Minister what democracy is. #ArunachalPradesh," Rahul Gandhi's office tweeted.

Thank you Supreme Court for explaining to the Prime Minister what democracy is. #ArunachalPradesh

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) July 13, 2016

In a major setback to the BJP-ruled Centre, the Supreme Court earlier today quashed "message and direction" issued by Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa and restored status quo as on December 15 when Congress' Nabam Tuki was the chief minister. Arunachal Pradesh had been under President's Rule since January 26. Tuki-led Congress government was dismissed following days of turmoil after 21 of its 47 lawmakers rebelled against the chief minister. The Congress, which had 47 MLAs seats in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MLAs backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified. The leader of the dissident faction, Kalikho Pul, was sworn-in as the chief minister on February 19 with the support of the 20 Congress rebels and 11 legislators of the BJP.