Harish Rawat wanted to prove majority, could not meet Guv

Dehradun, March 28: Hours after President's rule was imposed in Uttarakhand, ousted Chief Minister Harish Rawat had tried to meet Governor K K Paul late Sunday night in a last-ditch attempt to request him for a chance to prove majority in the state Assembly, but failed to do so.

Since the Governor had retired for the day, Rawat left a letter addressed to him claiming he still enjoyed the support of a majority of MLAs in the 70-member House.

"On behalf of my party, even at this moment, I urge you to grant me the opportunity to prove my majority in the state Assembly. I enjoy full majority and am afraid there can be ill-intentioned efforts to turn it into a minority," Rawat said in the letter received by Anuj Rathour, ADC to the Governor.

"Hence, in view of the sentiments of the people of Uttarakhand it is imperative that I am granted the permission to prove my majority in the House in the interest of democracy," he wrote.

The letter was signed by Rawat and five others including party chief whip Indira Hridayesh and MLA Hemesh Kharkwal.

PTI