Rawat may not have the last laugh despite HC verdict

R. Narayan

Dehradun: There are many a slip between the cup and the lip. This saying which has proved right in many cases may hold ground in case of Harish Rawat, whose fate as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, hangs in the balance, too.

The two-judge bench of the Nainital High Court, hearing his case, may have ruled in his favour on Thursday to apparent relief to Rawat but it may not last long. His rivals may still have the last laugh. The logic behind it is simple, going by the arguments of the affected BJP.

The bench, the party points out, has made a severe criticism and called the action of the Congress rebels as a ' constitutional sin'. Also, that they will pay the “price” for their “sin” but nothing beyond that. At least this is what the BJP believes. In other words, according to party sources, it has not said anything specific about their disqualification. BJP leaders are interpreting it, expectedly, in a different way and claim that the issue is still open.

They are pinning their hopes on the single bench which is also hearing the case. The bench may not have categorically said anything regarding disqualification but it has ruled that the status quo-ante will be maintained and the situation existing on March 18 will continue to prevail. On that fateful day the assembly speaker had disqualified these rebels and declared the appropriation bill as passed which is a major bone of contention between the centre and the state.

Understandably, the congress considers it a major victory and believes that these members stand disqualified. This argument does not hold ground for the rival BJP members. They still hold that the issue is being considered by a single bench of the court and till this bench gives its final verdict the issue hangs in the balance. The single bench has fixed April 23 for hearing the case—that is about a week before the floor test.

The writer is a senior journalist and political commentator