New Delhi: The government today informed the Supreme court that it is seriously considering court's suggestion to hold floor test in Uttarakhand Assembly.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the apex court that he has conveyed Court's suggestion to Centre but has not received any instruction so far.
The apex court adjourned the hearing in the case to May 6 after the government sought 48 hours to make up its mind and inform the court about the feasibility of floor test.
Speaking to media, Rohatgi said, "SC has made it clear that even if the floor test is to take place, it will not mean the restoration of status quo ante which means what was the position at the time when the President's rule was imposed,that position won't be restored namely of a Chief Minister and a Govt, so, that position is out."
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the central government to consider the possibility of a floor test to ascertain the legislative strength of ousted chief minister Harish Rawat of Uttarakhand that is under President’s Rule since March 27.
The apex court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to take instructions from the government and intimate the court about it.
The court adjourned till Wednesday, the hearing on the Centre’s appeal against the Uttarakhand High Court verdict revoking President’s rule in the state.
A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh, which had fixed the hearing on the plea at 2 pm, took up the matter at 10.30 am to apprise the parties concerned that it may not take up the case on Tuesday as Justice Singh would be a part of another bench hearing matters related to medical entrance exams at 2 pm.
During the brief hearing, the bench repeated its suggestion that the Centre should consider holding a floor test in the Assembly under its supervision to ascertain the actual situation.
It asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to take instructions on the issue and apprise it about the same on Wednesday.
The apex court had on April 22 stayed till April 27 the judgement of the Uttarakhand High Court quashing imposition of President’s rule, giving a new turn to the political drama in the state by restoring central rule there.
Uttarakhand High Court on April 21 scrapped centre's imposition of president rule in the state.
The centre contended that the Rawat government was reduced to a minority on that date when the Assembly Speaker refused a division of votes on the Bill, despite the request of a “majority” 35 MLAs (26 BJP MLAs and nine Congress rebels) in the Assembly.
