Cong leaders discuss ongoing political crisis with Prez

A delegation of Congress leaders met President Pranab Mukharjee on Tuesday and expressed their apprehensions over Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) alleged intensions of toppling governments in states ruled by the Grand Old Party.

Congress leader Anand Sharma while talking with the media said that he along with other party leaders went to the President and discussed the political crisis looming in the nation.

"We drew President's attention towards BJP's attempt to target congress ruled states and its relentless endeavour to topple the government and disrespect the Constitution," said Sharma.

"It all started with Arunachal Pradesh and reached Uttarakhand. The rules of Constitution are being violated time and again, the BJP has openly announced and threatened that they will be aiming at other Congress ruled states as well," he added.

Sharma further ridiculed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused the BJP of having double standards.

"At one side Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks of cooperative federalism and on the other side his party is leaving no stone unturned in destabilising governments in congress ruled states. They are using all unfair means. This is disrespecting the democracy and people's mandate," he said.

The Nainital High Court today ordered a floor test in the Assembly to determine which party enjoys a majority and stayed the President's rule, which was imposed on Sunday. The court, in it order, also allowed the nine suspended rebel MLAs to take part in the floor test.

The assembly floor test will be held at 11 am on Thursday and Registrar General of Nainital HC will be present as an observer.

With the move coming weeks after President's rule was imposed in Arunachal Pradesh, an angry Congress claimed that the BJP had stooped to a new low and would challenge the order in court.

The crisis in the hill state erupted on March 18 when nine Congress MLAs rebelled against Rawat's government, resulting in flip-flop in the passage of the Appropriation Bill. The BJP met the Governor the same day and staked claim to form the government.