President's Rule in Uttarakhand murder of democracy: Congress

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Modi government at the Centre had earlier "toppled" a democratically elected Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh "by sheer abuse of power and money" and the same script has been played out in Uttarakhand.

"It is a blatant and brazen display of authoritarianism, anti-democratic and anti-Constitution mindset of the Modi government," he said, adding today's action was a "grim reminder" of the threat that democratic institutions are facing.

He said the Narendra Modi-led government had "breached" all records in "trampling" the democratic norms and constitutional traditions by the way it has been "abusing and misusing" the institution of Governors to bring down the democratically elected Congress governments in states.

Azad described the "toppling" of Harish Rawat government in Uttarakhand as a "strangulation of the aspirations of the people of Uttarakhand", who will give a "befitting reply" to BJP for its "intoxication and arrogance of power".

Party General Secretary Shakeel Ahmed said the action indicated the Modi government initiated the step just a day before the floor test in the Uttarkhand Assembly as it apprehended it was "going to lose face tomorrow".

"We will fight this battle both inside and outside Parliament in all political forums with all our might," Ahmed said, adding the party leadership in Uttarkhand would decide on the issue of taking legal recourse.

He said the Modi government acted in "panic" to dismiss the government despite knowing full well that Chief Minister Rawat enjoyed a majority in the House despite nine Congress MLAs turning rebels.

Asked whether the Modi government would be able to secure endorsement of President's rule from the Rajya Sabha where the government lacks majority, Ahmed recalled how in the late 1990s the Vajpayee government had to reinstate the Rabri Devi government in Bihar after failing to enlist the backing of the Upper House.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said a floor test is the only constitutionally ordained method of testing the majority of a government.

"Decision of disqualification of MLAs by Speaker is subject to judicial review. Imposition of Art 356 is circumventing the Constitution.

"The President's satisfaction in proclamation of Art 356, is not a personal whim but must be based on objective material," he said in a series of tweets.

Tewari added that in case a floor test is not possible, it is obligatory on the Governor to give written reasons for not holding it.

"Assessment of strength of the Ministry is not a matter of private opinion of any individual, be he the Governor or the President," he said.