Harish Rawat to launch statewide dialogue
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 4 May: Commenting on the outcome of the West Bengal and Assam Assembly elections, Congress State Chief Ganesh Godiyal has asserted that change is nature’s rule and, in this light, the results are not surprising. Addressing the media persons here today, Godiyal claimed that change in Uttarakhand is also imminent in the forthcoming assembly elections next year. Godiyal, commenting on the Bengal results, said that change is the eternal rule of nature and the same change is bound to take place in Uttarakhand in the forthcoming elections. He emphasised that change is intrinsic to democracy and therefore inevitable, pointing out that if a new government can emerge in Kerala after ten years of rule, then Uttarakhand too can expect similar winds of change.
Godiyal clarified that Congress had never claimed to form a government in Bengal, hence he did not wish to comment on those results. He acknowledged, however, that the party needs to reflect on the outcome in Assam. He reiterated that, apart from Assam, the results from the other four states reaffirm his belief that change is nature’s rule and Uttarakhand will also witness it.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat has also commented on the election results by underlining the importance of continuous and reasoned dialogue in politics. In a post on social media today, Rawat announced that, from 15 May, he will travel across the state to engage directly with people, holding discussions and strengthening communication. Rawat said the results of the just concluded assembly elections in 5 states have made him realise the necessity of sustained dialogue and he has resolved to undertake this exercise with seriousness.
Rawat said he would travel across the state to directly interact with different sections of society, holding discussions to better understand public concerns and strengthen communication between political leadership and citizens. He noted that political processes must be rooted in continuous dialogue rather than occasional engagement, adding that he has resolved to pursue this exercise with commitment and seriousness.
Elaborating further, Rawat said he would particularly seek to engage with the enlightened section of society that had played an active and enthusiastic role during the statehood movement and the formation of Uttarakhand. He said he intends to understand from them whether the state, over its 25-year journey, has been moving in the right direction and whether the choices made along the way have been rational and aligned with the aspirations that shaped the movement.
He also said that he would reach out to individuals and organisations working at various levels across the state, often under different banners, who are actively engaged in addressing public issues and pursuing specific socio-political objectives. Rawat emphasised that dialogue with such groups would help explore ways to collectively bring about meaningful change in 2027, adding that it is important to understand how their capabilities can be effectively utilised in a broader political and developmental framework.
Expressing concern over growing disillusionment among educated youth, Rawat said he would engage with young people who are increasingly feeling discouraged due to employment challenges. He referred to the employment record of the Congress government under his leadership, stating that the state had witnessed an unemployment growth rate of over 13 per cent in 2014, which was brought down to among the lowest in the country, around 1.5 per cent, by 2017. He asserted that he continues to have a clear roadmap for employment and self-employment, which he intends to share and refine through this dialogue process.
Rawat further stated that he would commence the outreach campaign with the blessings of Maa Ganga at Haridwar, followed by invoking Goljyu Devta in the Kumaon region and Ghandiyal and Kachadu Devta in Garhwal.
