Murder of democracy, says Congress on President's rule in Uttarakhand

Congress today termed as “murder of democracy” and “unconstitutional” the decision of the central government to impose President’s rule in Uttarkhand and said the Narendra Modi dispensation was out to bring down duly-elected governments. “It is murder of democracy,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said while commenting on dismissal of the party’s government in Uttarakhand.

He said it demonstrates that BJP does not believe in democracy. “It is not surprising...The real desire of the government of India is to bring down duly-elected governments of small states in an undemocratic and unconstitutional manner,” Congress general secretary Ambika Soni said. “At every step, constitutional rules have been broken...  The Governor did not send the kind of report (rebel Congress leader Vijay) Bahuguna and BJP wanted...it is so glaring for everyone to see,” she said.

She said Chief Minister Harish Rawat would have proved his majority on the floor of Assembly tomorrow. On options available with the Congress, Soni said “CM Harish Rawat is in process of discussing with his Cabinet colleagues what is the best possible way forward.” Uttarakhand was brought under President’s rule by the Centre on grounds of “breakdown of governance” in a controversial decision which comes in the wake of a political crisis triggered by a rebellion in the ruling Congress. (Also read. Uttarakhand crisis: Harish Rawat condemns 'threat' by Centre over President's rule)

President Pranab Mukherjee signed the proclamation under Art 356 of the Constitution dismissing the Congress government headed by Rawat and placing the Assembly under suspended animation this morning on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet. The Cabinet had held an emergency meeting here last night presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had cut short a visit to Assam to return to the capital for the purpose.

The Cabinet considered several reports received from Governor K K Paul, who had described the political situation as volatile and expressed apprehensions over possible pandemonium during the scheduled trial of strength in the state Assembly tomorrow. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is believed to have briefed the President late last night explaining the rationale for the Cabinet’s recommendation.

The dismissal of the Rawat government now renders tomorrow’s confidence vote infructuous. It also came amidst reports that Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal had disqualified 9 rebel Congress MLAs that would have enabled Rawat to sail through in the trust vote. (Also read. Uttarakhand crisis: Suspense mounts over fate of 9 rebel Cong MLAs, Centre mulls President Rule)