Uttarakhand HC ruling not a surprise, says BJP

The BJP on Thursday said it was not surprised at the Uttarakhand High Court decision setting aside imposition of President's Rule in the state.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya told media persons here that the party will prove on April 29 -- the date for a floor test -- that the Congress government led by Harish Rawat did not have majority in the assembly.

"We will prove on April 29 that it (the Rawat government) was and is in minority," Vijayvargiya said.

He said the court decision has "not come as a surprise" given its earlier observations.

The court has provided relief to a chief minister who was facing allegations of horse-trading over a sting video, the BJP leader added.

The Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday set aside President's Rule imposed in the hill state last month.

After two days of hearing on a petition filed by Rawat, the court said the proclamation of central rule in the state stood null and void.

The court said central rule should be clamped in a state only as a last resort and called for a floor test on April 29 in the assembly to decide whether or not Rawat enjoys majority support.

--IANS

ps-mak/pm/dg