Political crisis remain in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, March 21: Uttarakhand's political upheavel showed no sign of abating as both sides -- Chief Minister Harish Rawat and rebel Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat -- have hardened their stands.

On Sunday, as the ruling coalition discussed how to prove the majority on the floor of the House by March 28 as mandated by governor K.K.Paul, show cause notices were pasted on the houses of Congress rebel legislators and the chief minister personally oversaw the sealing of the Vidhan Sabha office of Harak Singh Rawat, the former agricluture minister.

Sources said there was a proper search of his office and some files were also seized.

Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal has served notices to nine rebel Congress MLA's seeking their responses by March 26 on why they should not be disqualified from the membership of the House for violating the party and alligning with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

The former agriculture minister after receiving the notice has said that he was still in Congress but wanted the removal of the chief minister.

Nine Congress legislators led by Harak Singh had rebelled against the chief minister last week when they sought a vote division on the floor of the House. The speaker rejected the demand.

IANS