Harish Rawat government doesn't have majority, fresh poll be held: Vijay Bahuguna

NEW DELHI: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, who is leading a group of rebel Congress MLAs, today claimed the Harish Rawat government does not enjoy majority in the assembly and demanded holding of fresh elections.

Indicating his differences with the party top brass, Bahuguna said he could not meet Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in the past two years as the latter was "busy".

However, he said party chief Sonia Gandhi had met him whenever he sought an appointment.

Addressing a press conference here, he also claimed the actions of Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul and Assembly Speaker G S Kunjwal in dealing with the situation raised many questions.

"At least 36 MLAs are protesting on streets against Harish Rawat and of these, 27 are from BJP and nine from Congress. He does not have majority. But the Governor has misused his position and allowed a minority government 10 days to prove its majority," Bahuguna said.

"We would demand that the Governor be removed," he said.

Questioning why the Speaker granted only seven days to the rebel MLAs for replying to a show-cause notice, Bahuguna said it showed his "bias" and hoped that he would follow the due process and not act in haste.

Referring to a sting video purportedly showing Rawat offering bribe to rebel MLAs for their support during the floor test in the Assembly on March 28, Bahuguna said, "The very content of that CD proves that you (Rawat) are using undue influence and bribe to attract the nine MLAs... He should resign on moral grounds."

"Had I been the CM, I would have ordered a CBI inquiry. If the journalist is guilty, he would go to jail. And if the CM tried to induce MLAs, there should be action against him," Bahuguna said.

"I heard the CM's statement where he is levelling serious allegations against the press person, against his background... If that journalist is so corrupt, why did he (Rawat) fly in a helicopter to meet him," he asked.

Asked if he was leading a revolt against Rawat to settle scores for a rebellion by the latter when he was the CM, Bahuguna said although he had issues with Rawat's government as a "disciplined" Congress member, he had not said anything against it in the open for two years.

Asked whether he and other Congress MLAs would join BJP, Bahuguna said the main aim is that the present government is brought down and fresh elections are held.

He also said that he was not in contention to become the CM in the present Assembly.