HC verdict does not absolve Rawat of graft charges: Bhatt

Opposition BJP today asked Harish Rawat not to exult over Uttarakhand High Court's verdict saying the order does not absolve his government of "corruption charges".
"Rawat does not need to exult over the high court verdict. It does not absolve him of the charges his government is facing whether it is the nexus with mining, liquor or land mafia," state BJP president and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajay Bhatt said in statement here.
He also accused Rawat of being desperate to reclaim power saying how can he convene a meeting of the state Cabinet without even seeing a copy of the high court's order.

Rawat has held two cabinet meetings at his residence since yesterday when the high court revoked imposition of President's rule in the state and directed him to go for a floor test in the state Assembly on April 29.
Bhatt said the BJP will finalise its strategy once it is provided a copy of the order.
(REOPENS DES9)

State BJP chief spokesperson Munna Singh Chauhan said he did not see the high court judgement as a jolt to the party.
He described the verdict as "lopsided" which, he said, overlooked, serious aspects of the case, including all that happened inside the Uttarakhand Assembly on March 18.

"The entire case revolves around illegal transaction of business in the state Assembly on March 18 by the Speaker who denied a division of votes on the Appropriation Bill adopting a partisan approach. This aspect seems to have been lost sight of completely in the judgement," Chauhan said.