No horse-trading, dismiss Uttarakhand government: BJP

NEW DELHI, March 19: The BJP, rubbishing allegations of indulging in horse-trading in Uttarakhand where nine Congress legislators have revolted, demanded the Harish Rawat government should be dismissed as it had lost its majority.

The party also challenged the chief minister to prove his majority in the assembly.

“Allegations of horse-trading are ridiculous. The legislators of Congress have revolted against the functioning of Rawat and his dictatorial attitude,” BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya told reporters here on Saturday.

His assertion came against the backdrop of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the Bharatiya Jata Party was indulging in horse-trading in Uttarakhand.

“Brazen horse trading-first Aruchal now Uttarakhand. BJP proving to be most corrupt, deshdrohi and power hungry,” he said in a tweet.

Vijayvargiya however said the Congress leaders, who have revolted against the chief minister, are not those who can be bought for money.

“Vijay Bahugu is among the rebel Congress leaders. He was the chief minister of the state. What does Congress want to say? Do they mean Vijay Bahugu is for sale?” he said.

Vijayvargiya also challenged Rawat to prove his majority if he claims so. “If voting could have taken place in assembly yesterday (Friday), he would have known his strength. I challenge him to prove his majority on any forum.”

He also said the anti-defection law against the rebel Congress leaders would not stand because the BJP had already moved a no-confidence motion against the speaker.

Viyajvargiya also claimed to have the support of 35 legislators in the 70-member assembly. “We have support of 35 MLAs and are waiting for the governor’s response.”

The BJP also demanded the Congress government should be dismissed.

“The governor should dismiss the Rawat government in Uttarakhand. It has no moral right to remain in power as it has lost the confidence of its MLAs,” BJP secretary Srikant Sharma told reporters here.

In a late Friday night development, at least nine Congress legislators arrived in New Delhi with all the BJP members of the Uttarakhand assembly by a special charter plane.

Vijayvargiya, BJP tiol vice president and in-charge of Uttarakhand Shyam Jaju and senior Congress leader Bahugu were also among those who arrived here.

Earlier, the Rawat government ended up with a red face as it got merely 32 votes in favour against the 36 required for the Fince Bill to be passed.

Vijayvargiya said here that Rawat government was now in minority and the governor should dismiss it. “We are ready to form the government as well as to face fresh elections,” he told reporters here. (ians)