 "Harish Rawat, Uttarakhand")
In a boost to sacked Chief Minister Harish Rawat, the Uttarakhand High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by nine Congress MLAs against their disqualification, a decision that will bar them from participating in a crucial floor test in the Assembly tomorrow.
Justice U C Dhyani pronounced his order on the petition challenging Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal's decision disqualifying them after they joined hands with the BJP during proceedings on the Appropriation Bill on March 18.
"We are grateful to HC, welcome HC's order," Chief Minister Harish Rawat said following the court's verdict. "Justice has been done with us today, I'm confident justice will be done with us tomorrow and in future."
There will be debate in SC at 2 PM. Lets see what the decision will be: Vijay Bahuguna, rebel MLA #uttarakhandcrisis pic.twitter.com/mGQjWEejdx
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 9, 2016
The rebel MLAs, meanwhile, have now decided to approach the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing against the Uttarakhand HC's order. The apex court is likely to hear the issue today at 2 PM.
What is happening in #Uttarakhand is 'naya loktantra' followed by 'kutantra' of the Congress party: Venkaiah Naidu pic.twitter.com/9JCcPtrdtX
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 9, 2016
Uttarakhand has witnessed a political and legal turmoil after President's rule was imposed in the state, citing a sting operation which shows acceptance of bribes by senior leaders in the Congress. After a huge uproar over the issue, Congress approached the Uttarakhand HC, which went on to quash the President's rule in the state.
Interestingly, the chief justice of Uttarakhand High Court, KM Joseph, was transferred later last week to the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Hyderabad.
