By OUR STAFF REPORTER
ALMORA, 23 Nov: Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Saturday described the defeat of Congress candidate Manoj Rawat in the Kedarnath Assembly byelection as a defeat of the concerns of Uttarakhand. Addressing a press conference here, Rawat alleged that BJP won the election on the strength of money, liquor, and police jihad. Rawat announced that a padayatra will be taken out in every village of Uttarakhand for the next year against the BJP‘s policy of dividing the country and marginalising the state. He also described the BJP’s massive win in Maharashtra as worrisome for democracy.
It may be recalled that the results of the Kedarnath byelection went against the Congress. The veteran Congress leader said in the press conference that the Congress Party will review the Kedarnath by-election defeat. He asserted that Congress fought this election in an organised manner and had fielded a strong candidate. He also denied that there was factionalism of any kind within the Congress. He claimed that BJP used money power to win the election, which was unfortunate. He expressed gratitude for the love and support of the public by supporting the candidature of the party candidate Manoj Rawat,
Rawat also commented on the election result in Maharashtra, asserting that it is worrisome for democracy. He also strongly criticised the :explosive slogan” of ‘Batoge to Katoge,’ saying it became clear that BJP does not have faith in Constitutional institutions. He thanked both-those who believe in the ideas of Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, and those who deny it.
He expressed concern over the growing drug menace in Uttarakhand, stating that the BJP government is not doing anything to curb drug abuse, which is ruining the young generation. He also said that the government has failed on issues like migration and Gairsain. district president Bhupendra Singh Bhoj, Govind Kunjwal, Prakash Chandra Joshi, Tara Chandra Joshi, Radha Bisht, Shobha Joshi, Manoj Sanwal, and others were present on this occasion.
