BJP may stake claim to form government in Uttarakhand: Sources

Sources said the party can prove majority even without the nine Congress rebel MLAs as it believes that three independent MLAs will back the move. The party believes that getting President's rule ratified in the Rajya Sabha would be challenging as the National Democratic Alliance is in minority.

BJP leaders are likely to meet Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul soon.

The Uttarakhand High Court had on Tuesday castigated the Centre in its observation during the hearing on the imposition of President's rule in the state. The court observed that by imposing President's rule in the state the Centre had taken away the powers of an elected government and introduced "chaos" and that floor test "cannot be deprived of its sanctity".

The division bench of the court repeatedly maintained that irrespective of allegations of horse-trading and corruption, the only Constitutional way to test majority was to hold a floor test, which "you still have to go for".

The Centre also faced searching questions from the court which observed that if the reasons for imposition of Article 356 in a case, where ruling parties are different at the Centre and in the state, are accepted then it may lead to the Centre "watching with a magnifying glass where there is an opportunity for President's rule".

The bench went on to say that the Governor's action of March 23 calling for a floor test "cannot be deprived of its sanctity". "After (the decision on) March 23 what has happened for imposition of Article 356?" the court asked.