Venkaiah Naidu questions fairness of scheduled floor test in Uttarakhand

Nine Congress rebel MLAs have been barred from voting in the floor test, which is scheduled to be held today

With nine Congress rebel MLAs barred from voting in the floor test, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today questioned the fairness of the trial of strength in the Uttarakhand Assembly today, when ousted chief minister Harish Rawat has been "caught on tape" allegedly "offering bribes" to legislators.

He also asked as to how those concerned could ignore the manner in which the dissident legislators were disqualified from participating in it.

"How can there be fair trial of strength in Assembly? Speaker disqualifies dissident MLAs? CM caught on tape offering bribes to MLAs," he alleged

"CM's aide makes a stunning revelation that 12 MLAs were paid Rs 25-50 lakh each by the CM to retain their support. Speaker disqualifies MLAs even when there was no voting. No whip was issued. Can all the concerned close their eyes about this unilateral disqualification," he asked in series of tweets.

"Can they ignore offering huge bribes to MLAs for their support? This is new type of Lok Tantra," he added

The chances of Rawat winning the vote of confidence today improved as Supreme Court refused to pass interim order on allowing the nine disqualified MLAs to vote in the crucial floor test.

The rebel MLAs had approached the apex court after the Uttarakhand High Court earlier dismissed the petition against their disqualification, a decision that will bar them from taking part in the confidence vote proceedings.