Congress rebel MLAs approach SC against U'Khand HC order

The nine rebel Congress MLAs have approached the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing against the Uttarakhand High Court’s order dismissing their plea which challenged their disqualification. The apex court is likely to hear their plea at 2: 00 p.m

Meanwhile, in a major boost to the Congress Party ahead of the floor test in the Uttarakhand Assembly, the Nainital High Court today dismissed the petition by the nine rebel MLAs seeking to vote in the confidence motion.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal and senior advocate Amit Sibal, counsel for Congress Chief Whip Indira Hridayesh, concluded their arguments, stressing on the legitimacy of the disqualification.

The nine Congress MLAs had stood against their party on March 18 and supported the BJP by



asking for a division of votes on the Appropriation Bill.

Meanwhile, the Centre has also moved the Supreme Court seeking modification of its earlier order over Uttarakhand crisis.

The Centre demands that Principle Secreatry of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs should be made observer for floor test proceedings.

Earlier, the apex court had said the disqualified MLAs would not be able to cast their vote as long as their disqualification remained. The floor test is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

Excluding the nine disqualified Congress ‘rebel’ MLAs, the floor test will involve 27 Congress MLAs, 28 BJP MLAs, six PDF members and one nominated member.

The total members to vote being 62, Rawat will need 32 votes to be reinstated as the chief minister of Uttarakhand.