Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat warns rebel Congress MLAs, accuses BJP of 'misusing central machinery'

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker GS Kunjwal on Saturday issued notice under anti-defection law to nine rebel Congress MLAs, who have joined ranks with the principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Harish Rawat-led Uttarakhand government plunged into political crisis after nine Congress MLAs revolted and extended their support to the BJP.

Meaanwhile, expressing confidence that the Congress government will survive the crisis, Rawat said, “The rebel Congress should have spoken to the Speaker or the Governor separately,” adding that “We are giving time to the rebel MLAs to accept their mistake and apologise for their actions.”

“Their conduct was wrong and if they won't accept it then action will be taken. So far, five of them have contacted me," Rawat said.

“Will resign if I loose majority on floor of the House,” the Uttarakhand CM maintained.

Lashing out at the BJP leaders for 'misusing the central machinery', he stated that the Opposition was making desperate attempts to get rid of the Congress government in the state.

Issuing a challenge to the rebel MLAs, he dared them to prove their majority in the House and not 'run' to New Delhi.

Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat will meet Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul at 7:30 PM this evening and apprise him of Congress' decision.

Nine Congress legislators and and 26 BJP MLAs reached the national capital early Saturday.

Speaking to ANI, Kailash Vijayvargiya said, 26 Uttarakhand BJP MLAs and 9 Congress lawmakers have come to Delhi and will meet BJP president Amit Shah later in the day.

The BJP leader said the party is ready to form the government as well face elections in Uttarakhand.

The senior BJP leader further said if the Governor does not immediately dismiss Harish Rawat's minority government, they would knock at the doors of the President.

After reaching the national capital, Congress leader and former Uttarakhand CM Vijay Bahuguna said, "This government was involved in massive corruption and taking Uttarakhand to destruction," as per ANI.

The rebel Congress MLAs (mostly those owing allegiance to Bahuguna) are - Harak Singh Rawat, Amrita Rawat, Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, Shaila Rani Rawat, Pradip Batra, Subodh Uniyal, a confirmed Bahuguna loyalist, Shailendra Mohan Singhal and Umesh Sharma.

Earlier on Friday, the BJP legislators along with the nine Congress rebels went to the Raj Bhavan and met governor KK Paul and sought dismissal of the state Congress government.

The Harish Rawat-led government ended up with a red face as it got merely 32 votes in favour against the 36 required for the Finance Bill to be passed.

The political upheaval began with the falling of the Finance Bill in the state Assembly.

Harak Singh Rawat who was the top contender for the chief minister's post -- but the party high command chose Harish Rawat over him -- later resigned from the state cabinet.