Would Have Cleared 25 Schemes: Harish Rawat on His 1-Day Stint as CM

Harish Rawat was in a hurry after he was reinstated as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand on Thursday by the High Court following the quashing of the President’s rule in the state. In just 25 hours, Rawat cleared 11 schemes before the Supreme Court put a stay on the High Court order, ensuring that he once again became a former CM in just over a day.

However, in the 25 hours that he was the CM, he chaired two Cabinet meetings and passed 11 schemes. "I didn't know that it will end in 25 hours else I would have cleared 25 schemes. Next time if I get a chance, I will definitely try and take 25 decisions in 25 minutes," Rawat said on Saturday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had accused Rawat of taking charge as CM in an "unconstitutional manner", saying it's illegal to assume office "suo motu" before the Uttarakhand HC order reviving his government could reach the Centre and the Governor.

"By taking charge suo motu as Chief Minister, Rawat has created a constitutional crisis. The High Court order quashing President's rule and reinstating the state government should have been implemented by the President, the Centre or the Governor," state BJP Spokesman Munna Singh Chauhan said.

BJP also objected to Rawat holding two Cabinet meetings saying it was illegal and in violation of democratic norms to convene the meetings before proving majority on April 29 as directed by the High Court.

As assuming charge of chief minister suo motu is illegal so are the Cabinet meetings chaired by him. And hence the decisions taken in the meetings null and void, Chauhan had said.