Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 21 Aug: Senior Congress leader and former cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat has levelled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the party created a fixed deposit (FD) of Rs 30 crores using funds collected through the state’s mining operations. The statement has stirred political debate in Uttarakhand, with Rawat asserting that he had himself contributed over Rs 1 crore to the FD during his tenure as Forest Minister.
Addressing the media here today, Rawat stated that the BJP had profited from the state’s mining policy and that he had collected money from mining contractors in Ramnagar and Haldwani, allegedly at the party’s behest. He claimed that contractors were asked to provide cheques of Rs 10 lakh each, and that these funds were pooled to create the FD for running the party’s organisational activities. Rawat added, that in case the BJP wants, it can get this investigated. He claimed that he is also guilty in this matter.
Rawat further remarked that, if the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was to conduct a fair investigation into the source of the FD, many BJP leaders would be held guilty. He also challenged the party to initiate a probe, stating that transparency in financial dealings should be upheld. He said that his own role in the matter should also be scrutinised, as he considers himself an accomplice in the process.
Commenting on the broader implications of mining in the state, Rawat criticised the current approach, stating that unscientific mining practices are increasing the risk of disasters. He further asserted that he is not opposed to mining in the state but there is a need for technically sound methods of extracting riverbed materials such as sand and gravel. He added that maintaining the depth of rivers is essential to prevent damage to nearby settlements and ensure ecological balance.
In response to Rawat’s allegations, senior BJP leader Suresh Joshi said that if any person, believes there has been financial misconduct, the matter should be taken to the appropriate legal authorities rather than being raised in the media. He noted that India has several investigative agencies and judicial mechanisms to address such issues. Joshi added that such public statements appear to be aimed at regaining political relevance and popularity and reiterated that any genuine grievance should be pursued through established legal channels.
