The Centre and the Congress Party have approached the courts for a double bench hearing of the Uttarakhand political crisis issue, and according to reports, it will take place today at noon.
In a jolt to the Centre, the Nainital bench of the Uttarakhand High Court ordered a floor test to be conducted in the state assembly on March 31, giving a new twist to political developments in the state.
All MLAs, including the nine ruling Congress rebels, can participate in the trial of strength but the votes of the disqualified legislators will be kept separate, the court ruled.
The votes of the disqualified legislators will be taken into account subject to final outcome of the writ filed petition by chief minister Harish Rawat challenging the imposition of President's Rule, senior Supreme Court lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters after the second day of the hearing in the court.
The Centre reacted strongly to the court's order on floor test in the assembly and said no court can stay President's Rule as an interim measure.
Stating that no court can order floor test while President's rule is in force in a state, the Centre announced to challenge the single-bench decision in a division bench of the High Court.
Welcoming the decision, former chief minister Harish Rawat said it was a lesson for those who want to destabilize the government.
