By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 1 Jan: The Congress party today encountered another setback amid the campaign for the municipal elections in the state as Bittu Karnatak, a close associate of former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, resigned from the primary membership of the Congress. Karnatak’s resignation comes after being denied the Mayoral ticket from Almora. His resignation is being seen as a blow to the party in the municipal elections. Incidentally, he is not the first Congress leader to quit the party amid the ongoing campaign for the civic polls.
Bittu Karnatak expressed dissatisfaction with the Congress leadership’s working style and ticket distribution process. He stated that despite years of his dedicated service to the party, he has been overlooked in the municipal elections.
Bittu Karnatak cited the Congress party’s confusion about its position and actions as the reason behind his resignation from the party and claimed that the party’s actions and decisions are not in the interest of party workers. He claimed that he has consistently raised these issues within the party forum from Almora. He mentioned that he had been a loyal Congress worker for 35 years, but the party’s decision to field parachute candidates in the municipal elections had demoralised dedicated workers. Therefore, he has decided to end his political journey with a heavy heart.
In response to media queries in this respect, Congress state spokesperson Sheeshpal Bisht acknowledged that some workers’ dissatisfaction after ticket distribution is natural, as everyone in politics is ambitious, but added that not everyone can get a ticket. Bisht added that Bittu Karnatak has been a senior worker and leader in the Congress, and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat has treated him with great respect. Bisht also urged Bittu Karnatak to exercise patience and restraint, noting that opportunities in politics come and go. Bisht assured that the top leadership had thoughtfully distributed tickets for this year’s civic elections and that the party would be able to address the minor displeasure among workers and leaders.
