SC orders floor test in Uttarakhand on May 10, nine disqualified MLAs can’t vote
06 May, New Delhi
Centre Friday agreed to Supreme Court’s suggestion for floor test in Uttarakhand Assembly. The apex court deliberated on the modalities of holding floor test in Uttarakhand.
It has said that former Chief Minister Harish Rawat should be allowed to seek vote of confidence on the floor of the Assembly on 10th of this month. Nine disqualified Congress MLAs can’t vote in the vote of confidence motion.
President’s rule will be temporarily lifted for 2 hours in Uttarakhand when the vote of confidence will take place.
The apex court said that nothing else shall be discussed in the Assembly and proceedings there shall be absolutely peaceful and without any disturbance.
All officials of assembly will follow in letter and spirit the procedure and there shall not be any kind of deviation. The court directed the Chief Secretary and state DGP to see that all qualified members participate in the proceedings in the assembly, without any hindrance caused to anyone by anybody.
During the trust vote, those in favour of motion will sit on one side of the House and those against on other side. It said that the Principal Secretary, Legislative Assembly, shall see that the voting is peaceful and recorded and members voting in favour of motion shall singularly vote and raise hand one by one and that will be counted by Principal Secretary of the Assembly. SC said that the entire proceeding shall be videographed so that it can be perused by the court if required. The result of the voting shall be placed before it in a sealed cover on Wednesday, May 11, the Supreme Court said.
The apex Court had on Tuesday asked centre to explore the feasibility of holding a floor test in Uttarakhand Assembly under its supervision. Previously, the Apex Court had on 27th of last month, directed to continue the President’s rule for the while. The two- judge division bench had also asked several questions to the Centre asking it to justify imposition of President’s rule in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is under President’s Rule since 27th March, a day before Chief Minister Harish Rawat was to have a trust vote in the assembly.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand High Court at Nainital will hear the petition regarding the disqualification of nine rebel congress MLAs tomorrow. AIR correspondent reports that after today’s supreme Court direction to conduct floor test in which the disqualified nine congress MLAs can’t take part, the tomorrow’s hearing has become a matter of significance.