By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 2 Apr: Signs of internal discord within the Uttarakhand Congress have intensified ahead of the assembly elections. Dharchula MLA Harish Dhami has openly called for collective resignations in support of former Chief Minister Harish Rawat. The development comes amid a continuing controversy that began on 28 March, when six leaders from other parties were inducted into the party, triggering resentment within a section of senior leadership.
It may be reminded here that the immediate provocation for the latest round of infighting is understood to be the reported sidelining of Rawat’s recommendation to induct Ramnagar-based leader Sanjay Negi into the party. Negi had contested the last assembly elections as an independent from Ramnagar. Following this, Rawat is understood to have expressed his displeasure by proceeding on a self-declared 15-day ‘political break’, a move that has since fuelled speculation and political chatter within Congress circles as well as in sections of the media, including reports indicating unease among his supporters. However, even during this ongoing period of political hiatus, Rawat has been issuing statements through social media posts though, on the matter of Sanjay Negi, he has chosen to remain silent. However, now his ardent supporters within the party have started speaking against the alleged sidelining of Harish Rawat.
With Rawat maintaining distance, leaders considered to be close to him have begun voicing their concerns more assertively. Earlier it was former Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal who had openly extended support to Rawat, stating that alienating a senior leader of his stature could adversely affect the party’s prospects in Uttarakhand. His remarks had however drawn a sharp counter from Harak Singh Rawat, further exposing factional divides within the party.
Escalating the confrontation further, Harish Dhami took to social media to issue a strong statement, warning the party leadership and expressing solidarity with Rawat. He declared that any perceived insult to Rawat would not be tolerated and he went so far as to appeal to party legislators and supporters to consider mass resignation in defence of Rawat’s “self-respect”. Dhami’s post is being widely discussed in political circles and is seen by the political observers an indication of growing unrest within the state Congress unit.
Dhami also launched a direct attack on Harak Singh Rawat, terming his remarks against Harish Rawat as “condemnable”. He accused Harak Singh of committing the “grave sin” of defection, referring to the 2016 political crisis that destabilised the Congress government in the state. Dhami asserted that leaders who had switched sides in the past can’t be relied upon and cautioned the party high command to take cognisance of such antecedents, remarking that “one who has betrayed once can do so again”.
Reiterating his allegiance, Dhami declared that “where Harish Rawat is, there we stand” and he urged all the supporters of the former Chief Minister to unite in defence of his honour. His statement is being interpreted as a clear attempt to consolidate support around Rawat at a time when the latter’s temporary withdrawal from active politics has raised questions about internal cohesion within the party.
Earlier, Kunjwal had publicly remarked that the Congress could not hope to form a government in Uttarakhand by sidelining a leader like Harish Rawat, crediting him with having contributed significantly to the party’s growth in the state. He also pointed out that despite Rawat’s insistence, Sanjay Negi was not accommodated into the party, thereby indirectly confirming the source of Rawat’s dissatisfaction.
Responding to Kunjwal’s remarks, Harak Singh Rawat had dismissed the notion that the party’s fortunes were dependent on any single leader. He stated that no leader should harbour the misconception or arrogance that the party would not succeed without them. In a pointed comment, he observed that Harish Rawat had held nearly every major political office, including Block Pramukh, MLA, MP, Union Minister and Chief Minister, adding in a lighter vein that only the post of Prime Minister is remaining to be held by Harish Rawat. He further remarked that, in such a context, Rawat’s resentment is difficult to comprehend.
Meanwhile there is also speculation that the party high command is seriously considering permitting Sanjay Negi in the party.
