Centre moves SC against Uttarakhand HC order

The Central government has moved the Supreme Court against the Uttarakhand High Court order that invalidated President’s rule in the state, thus clearing the path for the reinstatement of Harish Rawat as Chief Minister. The apex court may hear the matter on Friday or Monday.

“The Centre has every right to approach the Supreme Court, but we are confident they won’t get any relief,” Rawat reportedly said. Within hours of reinstatement, he held a Cabinet meeting in which it was decided, among other things, to set up a committee to tackle the water crisis in the state.

The Uttarakhand High Court has fixed April 29 for a trust vote.

The Centre’s decision to move the Supreme Court was taken by the BJP top brass on Thursday evening.

The BJP has been arguing that the Chief Minister’s own legislators voted against his Budget, thus creating a constitutional crisis and making way for President rule. It has also cited an alleged sting against Rawat. The Uttarakhand High Court, however, dismissed the Centre’s arguments, pointing out that President rule “should be used as a matter of last resort.” It also said that the dismissal of “a democratically elected government breeds cynicism in the heart of citizens.”

Other HC observations included: “Even the President can go wrong”; “there is no such decision like that of a king which cannot be subject to judicial review.”

In its reaction to the HC decision on Thursday, the BJP had expressed its displeasure at these statements, saying that the President is not just a person but an institution that should be respected.