Uttarakhand crisis: Centre to challenge high court order on floor test, CM Harish Rawat confident of victory

The Centre is likely to challenge the Uttarakhand High Court's ruling allowing a floor test in the state assembly on March 31, giving a new turn to the political events in the Congress-ruled state where President's Rule was imposed on Sunday.

Dehradun: The Centre is likely to challenge the Uttarakhand High Court's order allowing a floor test in the state assembly on March 31, giving a new turn to the political events in the Congress-ruled state where President's Rule was imposed on Sunday.

Media reports on Tuesday quoted highly placed government sources as saying that the Uttarakhand High Court's ruling is likely to be challenged.

Meanwhile, the ruling Congress has also decided to challenge the two-judge bench order giving the voting right to rebel and suspended MLAs for the floor test.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said, ''We are satisfied with the HC ruling. It has given a befitting lesson to elements trying to dislodge our governments unconstitutionally.''

We respect the orders and directions of the Nainital High Court, Harish Rawat added.

Congress in-charge of Uttarakhand Ambika Soni, on her turn, said, ''We have full faith in the judiciary. We welcome Nainital HC's decision.''

Hitting out at the BJP, Soni said, ''You want Congress-mukt Bharat? Fight us in elections, constitutionally.''

''If our MLAs are unhappy, it's our matter. Congress will resolve, what's it to BJP,'' Soni asked.

They (BJP) have done nothing except fishing in troubled waters, Soni added.

The Congress leader also expressed optimism that he will be able to prove majority on March 31.

In a major relief for the Congress in the state, the Nainital High Court this morning allowed a floor test in Uttarakhand Assembly on March 31st and directed the nine suspended rebel MLAs to take part in the exercise.

The assembly floor test will be held at 11 am on Thursday and Registrar General of Nainital HC will be present as an observer.

Meanwhile, the President's Rule has been stayed in the state.

The Centre, in a dramatic move, dismissed the Congress government and imposed President's Rule in the state citing breakdown of governance.

Not amused by the step, Chief Minister Harish Rawat had termed it as the 'murder of democracy'.

With the move coming weeks after President's Rule was imposed in Arunachal Pradesh, an angry Congress claimed that the BJP had stooped to a new low and would challenge the order in court.

The crisis in the hill state erupted on March 18 when nine Congress MLAs rebelled against Rawat's government, resulting in the flip-flop in the passage of the Appropriation Bill. The BJP met the governor the same day and staked claim to form the government.

Chief Minister Rawat has contended that with the disqualification of the nine Congress lawmakers, the total strength of the 70-member House has been reduced and so, with his 27 remaining lawmakers and the support of six MLAs from the Progressive Democratic Front and one BJP dissident, he has a majority.