Rawat condemns 'threat' by Centre to impose President's rule

He said that it will be a murder of democracy and that it is not acceptable in a parliamentary system

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today condemned the "threat" by the Centre to impose President's rule in the hill state hit by a political crisis, saying it will be a murder of democracy and that it is not acceptable in a parliamentary system.

"The Centre is threatening a small state like Uttarakhand with President's rule. It is not acceptable in a parliamentary system. There is a procedure for President's rule, which has emerged following precedence," he told reporters on the eve of the floor test which he is due to face in the state assembly.

Rawat also accused BJP of attacking democracy with money and muscle power in its bid to dislodge his four-year-old Congress government.

"They (BJP) have attacked democracy with money and muscle power," he said and appealed to the "right-thinking" people to condemn attempts by BJP to "murder democracy".

Rawat said BJP was not relying on people's mandate and accused it of using money power to overthrow the government in Uttarakhand. "It is low-level politics."

Rejecting suggestions there is a division within Congress that has led to the current crisis, Rawat said, "We do not have any internal tussle. It is BJP and RSS which are hobnobbing with the Congress rebels to create the crisis."

Nine Congress MLAs have raised the banner of revolt against Rawat.

The Chief Minister said Congress will take the attempts to destablise his government to the people of the state and that it will be up to them to decide whether "sting" and defections will determine the future of the state.