Uttarakhand CM Bahuguna to face acid test on Monday ahead of crucial trust vote

Dehradun, Mar.25 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna will face a crucial test on Monday ahead of a trust vote in the state assembly when the election of Speaker will take place.

Acquiescing to the demands of Union Minister Harish Rawat, the Congress on Sunday fielded his close confidant Govind Singh Kunjwal for the post of speaker by filing the latter's nomination papers.

The BJP is fielding party heavyweight Harbans Kapoor, a former speaker, to face Kunjwal in the contest in what is now being seen as the first trial of strength for Bahuguna.

Bahuguna said he was confident about Kunjwal emerging victorious in the election for the Speaker's post.

"There was never any problem. All is well," said an elated Bahuguna.

Rawat stood by Bahuguna to give the message that there were no fissures in the Congress.

"We are happy that nomination of Kunjwal has been filed," said Rawat, whose all the supporting MLAs were also present during the filing of nomination papers.

Mahendra Singh Mahra, another Rawat loyalist, is also set to become the Rajya Sabha member.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh, who is the only cabinet minister to get portfolio, also said Congress will win the election of speaker comfortably.

Meanwhile, Bahguna said he would first prove his majority in the house before distributing rest of the portfolios among the remaining nine cabinet ministers.

Bahuguna was in Delhi earlier this week to meet the central Congress leadership and some union ministers, who have assured him that they would help Uttarakhand in development-related works.

Bahuguna met the Congress leadership over the issue related to distribution of portfolios among cabinet ministers.

The crucial trust vote in the state assembly will take place on March 27. (ANI)