SC announces the floor test result, Rawat to be back in saddle

Deharadun: Harish Rawat will be back in the saddle as chief minister of Uttarakhand as the Supreme Court announced on Wednesday the result of the floor test in state assembly, held on Tuesday, in his favour, causing much embarrassment to the Centre which had imposed president’s rule on the state last month. The union cabinet met following the announcement of result and decided to revoke central rule. Rawat is likely to be reappointed soon.

As announced by the court,the former chief minister and Congress leader who was shown in a sting operation advocating for horse-trading has secured 33 votes in an assembly of 61 members. His critic and rival BJP could muster only 28 votes.

Nine Congress rebel members were not allowed to participate in voting as a case against their disqualification under the Anti-defection act is pending in the apex court, reducing the strength of the assembly to 61.

In view of this development ,the ruling Congress which had 36 members did not have the winning number, 31, but some other supporting groups including the Bahujan Samaj Party had come to its rescue. The speaker,who normally does not participate in voting is believed to have cast his vote in Rawat’s favour.

The Supreme Court was approached in the wake of the order of the Nainital High Court against the President's rule imposed on the state on March 27. The Court after a nod from the Centre had asked for floor test to prove majority.The test was held under an observer appointed by the Court. The proceeding was video-recorded. As per the details ,available now, supporters and opponents of Rawat were asked to sit separately before the counting of votes. They also gave their preferences on paper which was sealed and sent to the Supreme court.[

Backgrounder:

• The Uttarakhand assembly had met on March 18 to discuss the appropriation bill which was declared as passed by the speaker. It was challenged by the BJP and nine Congress members.
• They had demanded passage of the bill by a division vote. Their demand was ignored by the speaker.
• It was one of the reasons for the Centre for imposition of President's rule. The other was the sting operation against Rawat.
• Tweets by Harish Rawat:

लोकतंत्र की विजय पर आप सभी को शुभकामनाएं ,माननीय उच्चतम न्यायालय का धन्यवाद ।

— Harish Rawat (@harishrawatcmuk) 11 May 2016

Tweets by Rahul Gandhi:

They did their worst. We did our best. Democracy won in Uttarakhand!

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) 11 May 2016

Hope Modiji learns his lesson-ppl of this country &the institutions built by our founding fathers will not tolerate the murder of democracy!

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) 11 May 2016