In Uttarakhand Crisis, Secretly-Filmed Video Found Authentic: Sources

New Delhi: Unless a court in Uttarakhand rules against him today, Harish Rawat will take a trust vote tomorrow in the hope of proving his right to get back to work as Chief Minister of the hill state.

The Centre has challenged the test, stating that the assembly cannot meet and vote when President's Rule has been declared - on the weekend, President Pranab Mukherjee sanctioned the union government's decision to govern Uttarakhand with the governor as its representative.   

Adding to the political intrigue is a video aired by a local news channel which claimed that Mr Rawat could be seen and heard offering bribes to lure back nine Congressman who revolted by voting against their own government on the state's new budget.  Mr Rawat has denounced the video as doctored. The Centre has said it's vital proof of Mr Rawat's failings to lead the state and of attempting to "horse-trade" to survive a trust vote.

Sources say that a forensic lab in Chandigarh, which has examined the footage, has confirmed that it's authentic. The recording was reportedly handed to the office of Governor KK Paul by the Congress dissidents, who, in turn, sent it to the President along with his report on why there is a constitutional breakdown in Uttarakhand.

The Home Ministry then had the footage sent to the forensic lab in Chandigarh.

A senior member of the Governor's office told NDTV, "A pen drive containing three audio conversations and one video were given to Governor."

The Centre has also said the fact that Congress legislators voted against the finance bill or budget proves that Mr Rawat's government is in a minority.  The Congress says that's not the case. The Governor has reportedly found that the budget was passed in chaos without a clear record of the votes against and for it.

To win the vote - if it is allowed by the High Court in Nainital today-  Harish Rawat must prove the support of at least 36 legislators.