Rawat thanks SC for reinstating govt, says courts upheld the supremacy of Constitution

Dehradun: Expressing his gratitude to courts of law, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Saturday said by reinstating a democratically elected government in the state they have upheld the supremacy of the Constitution and rekindled people’s faith in the judiciary. On Wednesday, Rawat was restored as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, 46 days after he was ousted by the Centre in a political battle that ended in a setback to Narendra Modi government as the Supreme Court put its stamp of approval on the floor test in the Assembly. “We have opened the result of the vote presented to us in a sealed cover by Jaidev Singh, Principal Secretary (Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs) and we find that 33 votes out of 61 were cast in favour of Rawat,” an apex court bench had said seeking revocation of President’s rule. [caption id=“attachment_2781666” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat. PTI[/caption] The nine rebel MLAs were subsequently disqualified by the Speaker under the anti-defection law, a decision that was upheld by the Uttarakhand High Court and not interfered with by the Supreme Court. Rawat also thanked Congress and PDF MLAs with whose support he won the floor test in the Assembly paving the way for restoration of his government. However, he said his fight was not just meant to save his government but to restore democratic and secular values. Rawat was addressing party colleagues at a felicitation programme at the Congress Bhavan in Dehradun. Earlier, at a programme in Chamoli district, Rawat said resources at the state government’s disposal will be harnessed on priority to implement welfare schemes meant for the poor, women, youth and the scheduled tribes. He asked youths to come forward to avail the state government’s skill development programmes and equip themselves for the employment opportunities coming their way. He also visited rain-hit Ramlila maidan area of Tharali and ITI colony of Karnaprayag and constituted a committee headed by state assembly deputy Speaker Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri to ensure even distribution of relief among affected families.