Vijay Bahuguna indicated that the Supreme Court may need time to decide on the Uttarakhand issue.
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and the face of the Congress rebellion, Vijay Bahuguna, says he believes holding early elections in the state is the best possible solution to the crisis.
"I am saddened to see this but I don't think we should let this circus go on. It would be good if the Supreme Court asks all parties to go for early elections," Mr Bahuguna told NDTV soon after the Supreme Court decided to continue with President's Rule until the top court finally disposes off the petition.
The Supreme Court is hearing a petition by the Centre that challenged the Nainital High Court order last week that quashed President's Rule and allowed Harish Rawat to take a floor test on April 29. The top court stayed it and has allowed central rule to continue for now.
Mr Bahuguna, who was a High Court judge before joining politics, indicated that the Supreme Court may need time to decide the issue. "The Supreme Court was examining very complex legal issue and normally the Supreme Court would not like to question the wisdom of the President until they have strong material evidence. Whatever is the outcome, I think we should have fresh elections," said Mr Bahuguna.
The former chief minister also claimed that neither he nor any of his colleagues who rebelled against Chief Minister Harish Rawat is looking at becoming Chief Minister of a coalition government propped up by the BJP.
Mr Bahuguna and his colleagues from the Congress have been disqualified and the decision of the Speaker has been upheld by the Nainital High Court. "We are challenging this in the Supreme Court and it is coming up tomorrow. We hope we get relief there," Mr Bahuguna said.