By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 16 Apr: Uttarakhand Congress has been facing one setback after another as one after another leader suddenly announced resignation from the party. It was yet another jolt for the party when senior party leader from Pauri district and currently the state general secretary Pradeep Tiwari also quit the party last night. While most of the Congress leaders who have quit the party, have joined the BJP, some have not taken a decision as yet even after quitting the party. This can be seen as a major setback for the Congress party in the midst of the campaigning for the Parliamentary Elections. Sources said that this is a personal loss for the Congress candidate from Garhwal (Pauri) seat, Ganesh Godiyal. Tiwari has resigned from all posts of the party.
Last evening, Congress State General Secretary Pradeep Tiwari submitted his letter addressed to PCC Chief Karan Mahara informing him (Mahara) that he is resigning from all the posts of the Congress Party due to personal reasons. Tiwari has held important posts in various organizations of Congress for the last 22 years. He has been counted amongst the close people of Harish Rawat and Ganesh Godiyal. It may also be recalled that Pradeep Tiwari‘s wife Poonam Tiwari is also active in politics. She was the first woman Chairperson of Srinagar Municipal Council. However, now the Municipal Council has been upgraded to Municipal Corporation and she remains in contention for the post of Mayor when the elections are held. It is not still confirmed whether she has also resigned from Congress or not. Sources claim that her resignation from the Congress is also likely soon. The couple holds a strong influence on local voters in Srinagar city. Interestingly, Poonam Tiwari had only yesterday attended an election rally of Congress candidate Ganesh Godiyal in Srinagar. Hence, Pradeep Tiwari’s resignation comes as a major and sudden shocker for the party.
After the resignation of Pradeep Tiwari from Congress, speculation is viral in the state, particularly in district Pauri and in Srinagar that the couple may soon join the BJP along with the supporters. It may also be recalled that senior Congress leader and former member of Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC), Sumer Chand Ravi had also yesterday joined the BJP.
Meanwhile, speaking informally with the media persons, Tiwari claimed that he will soon take a decision about his future course of action and claimed that his decision will be taken keeping in mind the interests and development of Srinagar. He also claimed that his family and supporters are standing with and supporting his decision.
