Kamal Nath had been deputed by party vice president Rahul Gandhi to broker peace between Nabam Tuki and his bitter rival Kalikho Pul. (File photo)
One of the best negotiators of Congress, Kamal Nath, has drawn a blank in Arunachal Pradesh, where factionalism in the party has lead to the collapse of the government.
Mr Nath had been deputed by party vice president Rahul Gandhi to broker peace between Nabam Tuki and his bitter rival Kalikho Pul. Mr Pul, however, was insistent that instead of Mr Tuki, he be made the Chief Minister, sources told NDTV.
Leading a faction of 21 rebels, Mr Pul had helped pull the rug from under the government's feet, which resulted in the imposition of President's Rule in the state since January 26.
But his belligerence wasn't the only hurdle for the Congress' peace plan.
The party's legal minds, including senior leader Kapil Sibal, have advised caution as the Supreme Court is already hearing all the cases related to the crisis in the state -- including the one on the disqualification of 14 rebels from the assembly.
The Congress claims on December 15, former assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia had disqualified all 14 lawmakers. The rebels had challenged this in the top court.
With the backing of 21 rebels in the 60-member assembly, Mr Pul claimed the Congress government led by Mr Tuki was in minority. The Congress rebels -- along with the BJP's 11 members -- pushed the number of lawmakers opposed to Mr Tuki to 32, he claimed.
The Congress contests the claim, saying after the disqualification of 14 lawmakers and the resignation of 2 others, the strength of the assembly came down to 44. Given the reduced assembly strength, Mr Tuki has comfortable majority, the party said.
The party also claims that Governor JP Rajkhowa, "acting as a BJP agent", had helped the rebel Congress lawmakers in their bid to topple his government by convening the assembly session ahead of time.
The final word rests with the Supreme Court, which is hearing all the cases.