By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEVPRAYAG, 19 Apr: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Harish Rawat is currently undertaking the ‘Ganga Samman Yatra’ a politico-spiritual travel aimed at mobilising party workers and confronting the ruling BJP government. The Yatra, though declared to be spiritual, is carrying strong political undertones and is being seen as a curtain-raiser to the 2027 Assembly elections in the state as also a show of his strength within the party, as opined by both the political observers and as senior leaders from within the Congress. He also claimed that he has decided to dedicate his life to exposing the falsehood of BJP.
Rawat has reached the sacred confluence at Devprayag via Mukhba village in Uttarkashi, energising local Congress cadres along the route. In Uttarkashi, where the Congress presently lacks both sitting and former MLAs in active roles. During the Yatra, the Congress leader affectionately known as Harda, took a pointed dig at former Congress colleagues who have since joined the BJP. He claimed that as soon as he embarked on this Yatra, several of ‘his’ old bitter friends suddenly found themselves useful again. Comparing their predicament to leeches shrivelling in the cold until revived by rain, Rawat mocked their struggles within the BJP, claiming that these leaders now appear just as feeble and squirming personalities.
Rawat also claimed that he is satisfied that at least because of him, those friends have found some relevance in BJP, even if only to issue statements against him (Rawat). It is amusing that they have so quickly adopted the BJP’s habit of falsehoods.
Rawat went on to accuse the BJP of thriving on a foundation of deceit. He cited two example in this regard mentioning the claim of a holiday for Friday namaz and making a so called promise of establishing a Muslim university, both of which he categorically denied supporting. He challenged his detractors to produce a single statement of mine published in any registered newspaper or aired on any TV channel, or show a government gazette notification regarding either claim. Rawat said that he has offered a reward of Rs 10 lakh for such proof. The former Chief Minister remembered that he once said, he would quit politics if such evidence is shown. Now he feels compelled to raise the stakes. Perhaps he should now say that he would leave this world, if that would finally motivate them to show proof”, he added, with a dramatic flourish. He reiterated that he has resolved to dedicate the remaining strength of his life to exposing the BJP’s false claims.
