JOIN USNine rebel Congress MLAs, including former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, would not be able to cast their votes in the floor test of the Uttarakhand Assembly on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to allow their plea for permission to vote in the special session, but admitted the special leave petitions filed by them for consideration on July 12.
Earlier during the day, the court allowed Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi’s plea for modifying its May 6 order by directing the principal secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, who belongs to district judge cadre, to remain present in the Assembly on May 10, along with secretary, Legislative Assembly, who worked under the Speaker, during the floor test to ensure objectivity and neutrality.
Acting on the petition filed by the disqualified legislators, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh issued notice to Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal and chief whip Indira Hridayesh.
The petition was moved immediately after the Uttarakhand High Court’s decision dismissing their plea.
Senior advocate C A Sundaram, representing the dissidents, pleaded that the MLAs should be permitted to vote which can be kept in a sealed cover till the matter with regard to disqualification was decided. He contended that the MLAs opposition was to then chief minister Harish Rawat and not to the party.