Uttarakhand: Speaker gives rebels today’s time for proof

The legislators demanded ‘proof’ from the Speaker. They asked for a list of people who attended House proceedings on March 18. Besides, they sought copies of the notices served against the speaker and the deputy speaker. The video recording of the proceedings was also sought.

Assembly Speaker Govind Kunjwal has given ‘today’s time’ to nine Congress legislators to look at the proof which they sought, on Friday.

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat with Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi . (PTI Photo)

Uttarakhand Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal had, last week, issued notices to nine rebel Congress MLAs for violating the party whip in the state Assembly during voting on the Finance Bill. The legislators, reacting to the notice, demanded ‘proof’ from the Speaker. They asked for a list of people who attended House proceedings on March 18. Besides, they sought copies of the notices served against the speaker and the deputy speaker. The video recording of the proceedings was also sought.

According to the Vidhansabha secretariat, the legislators can have a look at the necessary proof in the Assembly office on Saturday. “He (the Speaker) has been given contradictory statements. Therefore we fear that he can take a one-sided decision (disqualify legislators)” one of the rebels Harak Singh Rawat said.

The government has to seek a trust vote on Monday. With two days remaining for D-day, hectic parleys in all three camps – Congress, BJP and rebels are on. Earlier on Friday, eight rebels barring ex CM Vijay Bahuguna filed a writ before the High Court, against Speaker’s notice, which the court dismissed.

The Government has ‘welcomed’ the court decision. Chief Minister Harish Rawat in a statement said the BJP started toppling the government from Arunanchal Pradesh and reached Uttarakhand.