Uttarakhand crisis: Harish Rawat Rawat moves HC against President's rule

Congress yesterday legally challenged the imposition of President’s rule in Uttarakhand as it sparred with BJP, accusing the Centre of toppling its government 

New Delhi: Congress yesterday legally challenged the imposition of President’s rule in Uttarakhand as it sparred with BJP, accusing the Centre of toppling its government when the Governor had given time to the Chief Minister to prove his majority in the Assembly.

Harish Rawat. Pic/PTI

Harish Rawat, the dislodged Chief Minister yesterday moved the Uttarakhand High Court in Nainital questioning the Centre’s decision bringing the hill state under President’s rule. Rawat’s petition came up before the single bench of Justice UC Dhyani, who after hearing both sides, said the matter would be taken up again today.

It was filed on Rawat’s behalf by senior Supreme Court counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Singhvi, who contended that the circumstances were not suitable for invoking Art 356 of the constitution under which the government was sacked and the Assembly kept under suspended animation.

Meanwhile, Congress leader and party spokesman Manish Tewari refused to be drawn into judging President Pranab Mukherjee’s decision to approve the NDA government’s recommendation to impose Central Rule in Uttarakhand, saying it should be left to “his wisdom”.

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