Dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul, 46, has sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh with the support of 18 rebel Congress MLAs, and two Independents and 11 BJP MLAs who gave outside support. Pul’s swearing-in came a day after the Supreme Court vacated its interim order to maintain status quo in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly, paving the way for government formation. The Centre had revoked President’s Rule in the state before Governor J P Rajkhowa administered the oath of office to Pul.

Pul, a five-time MLA and former finance minister, had led a delegation of 31 MLAs and met Rajkhowa in Itanagar to stake claim to form the government. Pul has the support of only 18 of the 45 Congress MLAs in the assembly. But 13 opposition MLAs — two Independents and 11 from the BJP — have given in writing to the Governor that they back him.

The Congress had appealed in the Supreme Court for maintenance of the status quo. The court, however, refused to intervene, clearing the way for the government formation.

On January 25, President’s Rule was imposed following a report from governor Rajkhowa that the law and order situation in the state had deteriorated and that there was no government in existence.