PM Modi Calls Emergency Cabinet Meet On Uttarakhand Crisis

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called an emergency meeting of the cabinet on Saturday night to discuss the situation in Uttarakhand where Chief Minister Harish Rawat is facing a rebellion from some of his party's lawmakers.

The meeting took stock of the situation in Uttarakhand where nine Congress legislators had rebelled against the chief minister earlier this month when they sought a vote division on the floor of the house. The speaker had rejected the demand.

The rebel Congress legislators today released a sting video of Chief Minister Harish Rawat in New Delhi and alleged that he is indulging in horse-trading to save his government.

The video purportedly showed him bargaining with rebel party lawmakers to win their support ahead of floor test on March 28.

Reacting to the video, the BJP demanded President's Rule in the state, saying Chief Minister Rawat has no right to continue. A delegation from the party also met President Pranab Mukerjee to make their demand.

BJP's memorandum to the President was also critical of state Governor KK Paul, saying he "did not act on the request of the majority of the legislature to dismiss the state government and on the contrary granted 10 days time" to Mr Rawat to prove his majority.

Before the crisis, the Congress had 36 legislators in the 70-member Assembly. The ruling party also has the support of six members of the Progressive Democratic Front, while the opposition BJP has 28 legislators.

The Chief Minister has to prove his majority on Monday.