Uttarakhand floor test: Advantage CM Rawat? 9 MLAs remain disqualified

In a boost to sacked Chief Minister Harish Rawat, the Uttarakhand High Court today dismissed the petition of nine Congress MLAs against their disqualification, a decision that will bar them from participating in the confidence vote proceedings in the Assembly tomorrow.

Justice U C Dhyani pronounced his order on the petition challenging Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal's decision disqualifying them after they joined hands with the BJP during proceedings on the Appropriation Bill on March 18.

Today's order of the high court ensures that their disqualification stays and will keep the rebel MLAs out of the proceedings during the confidence vote for Rawat in the Assembly tomorrow ordered by the Supreme Court last week.

The nine MLAs will challenge the decision at the Supreme Court. Counsel for the MLAs C A Sundaram mentioned the matter is before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) T S Thakur about the high court verdict.  The CJI asked the counsel to approach the bench which had on Friday ordered the floor test.

The fresh petition will be heard at 2 pm.