SC Orders Uttarakhand Floor Test on 10 May; Bars Rebel Cong MLAs

Supreme Court has ordered for a court ordered floor test on 10 May.

The Supreme Court of India has stepped in and ordered for a court monitored floor test to be held in Uttarakhand Assembly on 10 May (Photo: IANS)

The Supreme Court of India has ordered a court-monitored floor test to be held in Uttarakhand Assembly on 10 May, between 11 am to 1 pm. Nothing else shall be discussed in the Assembly during this period. The court has ordered the Chief Secretary and the state DGP to ensure all qualified members participate.

The court also ordered for the temporary lifting of the President’s rule in Uttarakhand during these two hours when the vote of confidence will take place.

The apex court barred the nine disqualified rebel Congress MLAs from voting on the floor and has ordered for the proceedings to be videographed.

Attorney General, Mukul Rohatgi favoured a former Chief Election Commissioner or a former judge as observer to oversee the voting process.

The result of the voting shall be placed before this court in sealed cover on Wednesday, May 11.

The court said its observation “will not come in way or prejudice the case of disqualified MLAs which is sub-judice before HC.” Their plea is expected to be heard by the Uttarakhand High Court on Saturday.

According to the Supreme Court’s orders the President rule shall be revived after the conclusion of floor test at 1 PM on 10 May.

Earlier, the Supreme Court asked the Central government to consider the possibility of holding a floor test under the court’s supervision.

During the course of the hearing of the Central government’s appeal against the Uttarakhand High Court order quashing President’s rule, the apex court had on 27 April asked if President’s Rule could be kept in abeyance for two to three days and the strength of a government tested on the floor of the assembly.