Uttarakhand HC has allowed disqualified MLAs to vote: BJP to Cong

New Delhi: BJP on Tuesday took a dig at Congress after its leaders hailed Uttarakhand High Court order as a "victory" of party's stand, noting that the court had also allowed "disqualified" MLAs to vote in the floor test.

The party, however, chose to reserve its response on the order, saying it was still studying the judgement even as some of its leaders indicated that the Centre will appeal against the order.

"It is strange that Congress leaders have termed the order as a victory for their party. They wanted disqualification of the rebel MLAs to prevent them from voting but the court has permitted them to vote," party spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.

Citing the Speaker's decision to declare a "defeated" bill as passed and that the then Chief Minister Harish Rawat was allegedly caught on video offering allurement to MLAs to change the composition of victory, Kohli attacked Congress, saying "promoting such practices cannot be a victory of democracy".

BJP sources said the court's order has not cleared the matter and the decision from a higher court if the Centre appealed against it may be of help.