By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Sep: Amid the political controversy following the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches in the premises of his former OSD and present personal assistant Chandan Singh Jeena, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat has launched an emotional counter-offensive, asserting that he would go among the people to clear what he described as a ‘stigma’ being deliberately attached to his political career.
In this regard, Rawat has also posted an ‘emotional’ video message on his social media accounts, where he has invoked the memory of his late mother and is seen taking an oath that he had never taken money from anyone in return for a government job or political position. He said that he swears by his mother and her milk, that he had never taken even a penny from anyone in return for giving a job, nor had he ever taken tea or water from such a person.
Rawat claimed that he regards three entities as his mothers, namely Goddess Bhawani, Uttarakhand, and his own mother, and he expressed anguish that attempts are being made to tarnish his reputation at this stage of his life. He said he had faced similar allegations in the past, particularly around the 2016 recruitment examinations, but maintained that no evidence had established his involvement.
It may be recalled that the ED had recently conducted searches in connection with alleged irregularities in the 2016 UKSSSC Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari examination and said it recovered Rs 32 lakhs in unaccounted cash, around 200.5 grams of gold and 12 luxury watches from Jeena’s premises. The agency has since claimed that the investigation is continuing.
Interestingly, despite the ED action, there has so far been no reported arrest of Jeena. Another interesting point currently attracting attention in the political and administrative circles is that an official tour programme bearing Jeena’s signatures has reportedly continued to be issued after the ED raid. The development has added another layer to questions being raised about his present official status and functioning.
As per some political analysts, the episode has also exposed the growing political fault lines within the Uttarakhand Congress. While the BJP has stepped up its attack on Rawat, there is considerable discussion within Congress circles over the political implications of the controversy. Some party leaders have publicly stood by Rawat, while the senior Congress leader’s continued political activity has also been viewed, in sections of the party, through the prism of the internal struggle for space and leadership ahead of the Assembly elections.
There is also speculation in political circles that Rawat’s influence and continued activism may prove inconvenient for sections of the state Congress leadership, particularly those seeking greater organisational and electoral space. Rawat, however, has made it clear that he intends to take his case directly to the people. He has openly asserted that he does not want to die with this stigma, adding that irrespective of whether his body permits it, he would continue to meet people and present his side. As per the schedule of the programme released by Rawat’s PA Jeena, Rawat will start his journey from New Delhi and travel to Haridwar on 20 September and perform Ganga Puja there before proceeding to Mani Mai Temple and then to Shaheed Smarak in Dehradun. On 21 and 22 September, he will undertake a tour of the four famous Siddha temples of Dehradun and will stay at his personal residence in Defence Colony during his Dehradun stay.
