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Cong chief whip ‘corners’ rebel MLAs in U’khand HC

Rejecting their claim that they were still in the party, the Congress Chief whip on Tuesday told the Nainital high court that the nine rebel MLAs had “in one voice” with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators told the Governor that the Harish Rawat government was in minority and presented themselves as an alternative regime.

The submission was made before Justice UC Dhyani by advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for the Chief whip, who further argued that the nine were “paraded” before the Governor to show the “new majority”.

The judge was hearing the petition by nine Congress MLAs, who were disqualified by Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal under the anti-defection law.

“Through the letter of March 18 morning and later the appearance in person of all the 35, they were presenting themselves to the Governor as an alternative government. They (the nine) need not have gone in person, yet they were paraded. Why would they go in person if not to show that they constitute a new majority,” Sibal argued.

He added: “The joint memorandum was submitted on the letter head of Leader of Opposition Ajay Bhatt signed by all 35. It shows that the nine Congress MLAs were speaking in one voice with the 26 BJP MLAs.”

He also contended that the nine were “hell bent” on seeking dismissal of the government by “whatever it takes”, be it “making false statements” or “suppression of documents”.

He said though the dissident Congress MLAs say that they are willing to support another Congress government under another CM, this is not said in the memorandum to Governor and as it was a joint memo, the BJP MLAs would never say that.

Sibal added, “Money bill or no money bill, on the morning of March 18 they told the Governor that the Congress government was in minority and that it was carrying on unconstitutionally. Therefore, their stand is clear and unequivocal.”

Meanwhile, the court has adjourned hearing over disqualification of Congress rebel MLAs till Thursday.
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