The Speaker of the Uttarakhand Assembly Govind Kunjwal suspended nine Congress MLAs under the anti-defection law on Sunday. The Speaker made the announcement after a team of lawyers representing the MLAs met the Speaker in a last-ditch effort to avoid action against them.
They were seeking a personal hearing and more evidence in support of the charges levelled against the MLAs in a disqualification notice served to them by the Speaker.
The team of lawyers had sought a personal meeting earlier in the week as well. The Speaker had, however, denied permission for the meeting.
Fact that documents on the basis of which show cause notice was issued have been given partially and are not verified is being discussed. According to Supreme Court judgements and rules, 7 days time is given to analyse documents and respond accordingly.Chetan Chauhan, Rebel MLAs’ Lawyer
Citing security reasons, BJP member, Ajay Bhatt, has said that the media is not allowed in the premises of the Assembly.
Also read: Centre Imposes President’s Rule in Uttarakhand; Rawat Condemns it
Chief Minister Harish Rawat and the Speaker held a prolonged meeting which went late into the night at the latter’s residence.
The matter of disqualification of these MLAs is crucial to the Assembly as Rawat is scheduled to go for a floor test on Monday.
Disqualification will lead to their right to vote being revoked. Rawat is left with 27 Congress MLAs after nine revolted against him.
It will reduce the effective strength of the House from 70 to 61 and the simple majority figure from 36 to 31 which is likely to make Chief Minister Rawat’s task easier.
Support from PDF will take the tally to 33 for Rawat. Support from 31 members is necessary to prove majority in the House.
The BJP, on the other hand, has 28 MLAs of its own and nine from Congress, who if disqualified, will be of no use to it at the time of voting in the state assembly.
However, it claims at least five more MLAs on the other side are waiting to cross over to its side.
BJP sources said state BJP MLAs, who were travelling to various places like Delhi, Gurgaon and Jaipur, are expected to reach Dehradun by Sunday night.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)