Will emerge victorious in Uttarakhand floor test, says Harish Rawat

Ahead of the crucial test floor in the Uttarakhand Assembly on Tuesday, ousted chief minister Harish Rawat said he was sure the Congress would pass the test with flying colours and claim back power in the state.

Rawat said the Congress party has supports from all quarters and will emerge victorious in the floor test.

"Majority is with us, the sentiments of the common are with us. The gods are with us. Let the BJP make whatever claims they want to but I am sure that we will win, Uttarakhand will win with flying colors," said Rawat.

When asked if he would resume his post as Chief Minister of the state, he added that the decision will be taken by the Supreme Court and asserted that the Congress has full support including from PDF, BSP, UKD.

A floor test will be held in the Uttarakhand Assembly today to ascertain whether ousted Congress chief minister Harish Rawat still enjoys a majority in the House.

During the two-hour-long special session from 11 am to 1 pm, the President's rule will be kept in abeyance for a single agenda of vote of confidence.

The proceedings will be video-graphed and the result of the voting will be placed before the Supreme Court tomorrow in a sealed cover.

The Uttarakhand Assembly has 70 members, out of which 27 belongs to the Congress, excluding the nine rebels. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 28 members, while there are six from other parties.

Rawat will need at least 32 members for claiming his majority on the floor.

The rebel MLAs will not be allowed to participate in the floor test. The Supreme Court rejected their pleas yesterday after they moved the apex court against the Uttarakhand High Court's decision dismissing their petition against the disqualification.

The apex court also said the voting will be overseen by Principal Secretary (Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs) in the state.