By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Gairsain, 28 Oct: As had been announced yesterday by him, independent MLA from Khanpur (Haridwar), Umesh Kumar today resigned as MLA. His resignation as been confirmed by Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan. The resignation tendered by Kumar just months ahead of the next assembly elections in Uttarakhand, has triggered fresh political speculation in the state. Kumar has once again reiterated that he would neither join the Bharatiya Janata Party nor the Congress and, instead, contest the next Assembly elections on the symbol of his Jan Nirman Party.
Seeking to put to rest speculation about his political future, Kumar claimed that his recent meetings with some senior Congress leaders should not be interpreted as preparations to join the party. He maintained that interactions with leaders of different political parties are part of the normal political process and do not indicate any intention to switch sides. He added that he will continue to pursue an independent political path and approach the electorate through his own political platform.
Kumar also referred to his long-standing political differences with senior Congress leader Harish Rawat. He said the bitterness arising from political developments dating back to 2016 had not faded. He remarked that it would be difficult for him to raise slogans in support of leaders against whom he had levelled serious corruption allegations and whose government he had politically opposed in the past. Through these comments, Kumar sought to dismiss rumours of a possible entry into the Congress and underline his intention to maintain a separate political identity.
The Khanpur MLA also claimed that his announcement to fight on the Jan Nirman Party symbol is being viewed as part of a broader strategy to establish the party as an independent political force in the state.
Explaining the reasons behind his resignation, Kumar said his experience in the Assembly over the past four-and-a-half years and what he described as the lack of support from the opposition played a major role in the decision. He alleged that despite consistently raising issues related to farmers, disaster-affected families and basic public services such as electricity and drinking water, he was often left to fight alone without the backing he had expected from opposition parties.
Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri confirmed receiving Kumar’s resignation letter and said it has been forwarded to the Assembly Secretariat for further action. She said the Secretariat would examine the resignation in accordance with the relevant legal provisions and procedural requirements before taking a final decision.
Meanwhile, former Khanpur MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion dismissed the resignation as a political drama. Questioning the timing of the move, he said that with only around two months left in the current Assembly’s tenure, the resignation served little purpose. Champion added that the younger generation is more concerned about development, employment and a better future than political symbolism and rhetoric, and urged the leaders to focus on issues affecting youth rather than publicity-driven activities.
