Uttarakhand HC quashes President’s rule: Centre read the signs before order, readied plan to move SC

WATCH | Analysing Uttarakhand High Court Order To Strike Down President’s Rule

Within the party, there is admission that BJP managers lost their grip on the situation when Governor K K Paul gave Chief Minister Harish Rawat nine days to prove his majority. Because until then, the BJP was confident it had the upper hand — nine Congress MLAs had revolted against Rawat.

Also Read: President’s rule quashed: From a Congress rebellion to a High Court rap in Uttarakhand 

BJP sources said it was not possible for the party to retract from the position it had taken. “Once we took a public position that the Rawat government lost majority on March 18, where was the question of backing out? We have no doubt whatsoever that the Rawat government was in a minority,” sources said.

Arguing its case, the BJP pointed out that when a money Bill falls, the government falls. And this remained its position even after the High Court order Thursday. Sources said neither Shah nor Jaitley think the money Bill was passed in the Assembly, and that as per democratic conventions and legal provisions, Rawat should have stepped down.

Also Read: High Court verdict victory for people of Uttarakhand: Harish Rawat 

So sure was the Centre of its legal and political stand that an emergency meeting of the Cabinet was called on March 26 and a decision was taken to impose President’s rule in Uttarakhand. Jaitley met President Pranab Mukherjee the same night and, the very next day, the state came under President’s rule.

Hearing arguments on Rawat’s petition challenging President’s rule in the state, the judges opined on the role of President Mukherjee in the matter without naming him.

Also Read: Uttarakhand HC strikes down President’s rule in the state, floor test on April 29

Under the rules, the President can only once reject the recommendation of the government to impose President’s rule in a state.

Sources said had Jaitley failed to convince the President on March 26 night, a second meeting of the Cabinet would have been held — tentatively scheduled for 7.30 am on March 27 — and the file recommending President’s rule would have again been sent to Mukherjee for his consent. PM Narendra Modi was to leave early that day on a poll tour of Assam. The President, however, gave his consent and the need for a second Cabinet meeting never arose.

WATCH INDIAN EXPRESS VIDEOS HERE