President's Rule imposed in Uttarakhand; Rawat calls its murder of democracy

The office of President today approved cabinet’s recommendation on to impose President Rule in Uttarakhand. The political crisis in the state had taken a new turn on late Saturday night when centre recommended imposition of President’s Rule ahead of Monday’s scheduled trust vote by Congress Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

Cutting short a visit to Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called an emergency meeting of the Union Cabinet in the Capital which lasted over an hour late tonight to consider various options before the Centre, including that of President’s Rule.

Earlier today, condemning what he called the BJP's efforts to "murder democracy" in the state, Chief Minister Harish Rawat had pointed out that there was a "procedure" for imposition of President's Rule. the "They (BJP) has attacked democracy with money and muscle power."

Murder of democracy in utt cos neither ruling of speaker nor vote on house floor has occurred yet pres rule pre-emptively imposed

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) March 27, 2016

The reported decision of Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal to disqualify the nine legislators from Congress who have revolted against Rawat and joined hands with BJP, would reduce the effective strength of the 70-member assembly to 61. (Also read. Uttarakhand crisis: Harish Rawat condemns 'threat' by Centre over President's rule)

It has secured the report from state Governor K K Paul on the latest situation in the state triggered by the revolt of the MLAs on March 18. There was no official word about what transpired at the Cabinet meeting, but sources said that final call have been taken. Even as Union Cabinet was meeting, Rawat met the Speaker at his residence to discuss the disqualification issue.

(With PTI Inputs)