Floor arithmetic favours Rawat, after SC clears decks

The decision puts chief minister Harish Rawat in an advantageous position. The Uttarakhand High Court had earlier on Monday upheld the disqualification of these nine MLAs by the assembly speaker under the anti-defection law. 

Rawat is all set to move a trust vote in Uttarakhand assembly on Tuesday and as per the SC order, the President’s rule in the state would be kept in abeyance for two hours between 11 am and 1 pm to allow the floor test as a part of “single-agenda” of the special session.

Post the SC order, effective strength of the House has now come down to 62, with Rawat needing 31 votes to prove his clear majority. As of now he has the firm support of 27 Congress, one rebel BJP and six other MLAs. Though the BJP has 28 members, one of its members Bhimlal Arya, who was suspended from the party, may go with Rawat. The lone Anglo-Indian nominated member would also go with Rawat.

The Supreme Court on Monday also clarified that the voting during Tuesday’s floor test in the Assembly will be overseen by Principal Secretary (Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs) in the state.

Referring to the sting video released on Sunday, Rawat said, “There is no confrontation among our members. The myth has been created by opposition BJP.  PDF members are supporting us since 2012, when Congress emerged as the single largest party in the last assembly elections. There is big gap as BJP is down to 28 MLAs. The gap can be filled only by defection which is unconstitutional and undemocratic.”  Also while addressing the media on the eve of trust vote in Dehradun, he added that the Congress would easily sail through with the support of 34 legislators.

On being asked what he would do if he lost the trust vote on Tuesday, Rawat replied, “We would be prepared to play the role of Opposition in Uttarakhand assembly. There is no confrontation, no clash of ego. We are ready to assume any role in politics just for the development of state and welfare of common people.”

He also said, “They (BJP) should abandon the politics of defection and allow a fair conduct of the floor test. They should follow the ruling of Supreme Court and accept it.” He further said, “Congress should be allowed to work for a full five-year term. Let’s bury the past and begin a fresh chapter for the welfare of Uttarakhand where ruling party and opposition will work in coordination.”