Supreme Court orders Uttarakhand floor test on May 10, proceedings to be videographed

Uttarakhand was plunged into political uncertainty after nine Congress legislators revolted and turned to the BJP.

Dehradun: After getting Centre's nod, the Supreme Court, Friday, decided that a floor test in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly will be held on May 10.

While ruling that the President's rule will be temporarily lifted for two hours in Uttarakhand when the vote of confidence will take place, the apex court scheduled the floor test for May 10 from 11 am to 1 pm.

The apex court directed that the nine rebel Congress MLAs, who have challenged their disqualification by the Speaker in the High Court, will not participate in the floor test "if they have the same status" at the time of vote of confidence.

The SC said that proceedings for the floor test will videographed under the supervision of the Principal Secretary of the Legislative Assembly.

"Ex-CM Harish Rawat should be allowed to seek vote of confidence on the floor of the Assembly," SC said.

Earlier today, the Centre told the top court that it is ready to hold a floor test in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

The Additional General appearing on behalf of the central government, requested the apex court to appoint an observer for the floor test.

AG told the SC bench comprising of Justices Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh that there should be one agenda and observer should be retired chief election commissioner.

The top court had granted Centre time till May 6 to appraise it about the feasibility of holding floor test in the Uttarakhand Assembly to resolve the political crisis in the state.

Uttarakhand was plunged into political uncertainty after nine Congress legislators, including former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, whom Harish Rawat replaced, revolted and turned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The crisis peaked on March 18 when the assembly passed the Appropriation Bill by voice vote even as the opposition sought recorded voting. Speaker Govind Kunjwal declined the request, leading the BJP to cry foul.

Rawat was then asked by Governor KK Paul to prove his majority on March 28 but a day before that the central government ousted his government by imposing President's Rule. Rawat immediately went to court.

The Uttarakhand High Court by its April 21 verdict had quashed the President's rule.