Uttarakhand floor test: It’s advantage Rawat as Supreme Court benches rebels

The nine rebel Congress MLAs will not be able to participate in the crucial floor test of Harish Rawat government in the Uttarakhand Assembly on Tuesday, as the Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the High Court order upholding their disqualification by the Speaker.

A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and SK Singh, however, issued notice to Speaker on their plea challenging their appeal against the Uttarakhand High Court order and sought response by July 12.

Ousted CM Harish Rawat will move a trust vote on Tuesday in a court-monitored floor test.

Pursuant to the court’s order, a specially convened two-hour-long session of Uttarakhand assembly will be held between 11am and 1pm for the “single agenda” of floor test. During this period the President’s Rule in the state will be relaxed and it will be restored once the proceedings are over.

The judgment might make the BJP’s task difficult in the confidence vote to be sought by Rawat as it will be left with only 28 MLAs, including Bhim Lal Arya whose loyalty to the party is in doubt. Though suspended by the BJP, Arya continues to represent the party in the House.

 It may give Rawat an advantage in the floor test which will now be held in the Assembly with an effective strength of 62.