Rawat hails HC's decision as 'double-victory' over 'murdering democracy'

Hailing the Nainital High Court's stay on his floor test as his "double-victory", buoyed Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Wednesday said the toppling of an elected government is a murder of democracy and constitutional traditions.

"The court has said it will soon give its decision on the imposition of President's Rule in Uttarakhand, which is a welcome development. Ending of President's Rule is in the interest of the state," he added.

Rawat said, "One thing has become clear that the two-judge bench took into consideration and hailed the single-judge bench's observations, and decided to end all uncertainties. This is a double-victory for us, because the single-judge bench had on Tuesday made it categorically clear that the imposition of President's Rule in the state was not a right step."

"The single-judge bench's observation ended an environment of uncertainty shrouding the future of Congress governments in various states, as the Centre cannot impose President's Rule in this manner. The observation was also hailed by the two-judge bench, which I consider as a victory of the state and our stand," said Rawat.

Hailing the court's rejection to put a stay on the Speaker's decision in connection with the suspension of some of the legislators, Rawat said, "The court's rejection of pleas by suspended MLAs' seeking a stay order on the Speaker's decision was important. The court has now fixed April 1 for hearing on their plea. We are very hopeful that the court's ruling will be in our favour."

A two-judge bench of the Nainital High Court on Wednesday stayed the floor test for the Harish Rawat Government in the Uttarakhand assembly, which was scheduled for March 31, and decided to take up the matter on April 6.

The crisis in the hill state erupted on March 18 when nine Congress MLAs rebelled against the Rawat government, resulting in a flip-flop in the passage of the Appropriation Bill.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met Governor K.K. Paul on the same day and staked claim to form a government.

However, the Centre imposed President's Rule last Sunday, a day before Rawat was supposed to take the floor test in the Assembly.