- Friday, April 19, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
IT seems the Indian National Congress’ problems in states ahead of the election season are never ending. After witnessing rift in states like Rajasthan, Punjab and Chhattisgarh where it is in power, the grand-old party is now facing escalating tensions in poll-bound Uttarakhand.
Trouble started for the party in the hill state over some controversial tweets posted by former chief minister Harish Rawat that have clearly indicated the rift in the party’s state unit.
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A high-level meeting of the state’s Congress leaders has been called by the party high command in New Delhi on Friday (24).
Rawat recently took to Twitter to vent his frustration with the party, accusing it of playing a negative role in the election season. The 73-year-old leader also indicated at retiring from politics.
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“Isn’t it strange, one has to swim in the sea in the form of the forthcoming electoral battle, instead of cooperation, the organizational structure at most places is turning its face away or is playing a negative role,” Rawat said in a tweet.
“There are many crocodiles of the ruling dispensation. On whose directions one has to swim, their nominees are tying my hands and feet,” he added.
Rawat also cited lines associated with Bhagwad Gita.
“And then quietly in a corner of my mind, a voice is erupting, ‘na denyam, na palaynam’ (one who does not bow or flee). Perhaps the new year will show the way. I have faith that Lord Kedarnath will provide me guidance in this situation,” he said.
Uttarakhand Congress lawmaker Pritam Singh said before the high-level meeting, “Today we have been called by the party leadership. Will follow the instructions accordingly. Won’t be commenting on Harish Rawat ji‘s tweets…There is no dispute in the party,” he was quoted as saying by Asian News International.
He added, “Harish Rawat ji is our senior leader. I don’t want to make any comments on his tweets. Party leadership has called the meeting. Whatever guidelines will be given we will follow them. All the Congress members will follow that.”
Singh said there were no clashes within the party and the Uttarakhand unit is working under the guidance of party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi and party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
“In 2022 we will definitely win the Assembly polls. I can’t comment anything on Harish ji‘s tweets. I am a small leader who performs his duties which are given by the High command. I don’t get upset with anyone. I don’t know the agenda of the meeting which has been called in Delhi today. We are going to party high command where discussions will be held on many issues,” Singh said.
According to sources, Vadra spoke to Harish Rawat after his tweet.
The Congress is keen to regain power in Uttarakhand where it lost the election in 2017 and Rawat, who became the chief minister of the state on three occasions between 2014 and 2017, is apparently keen to be projected as the chief ministerial candidate in the 2022 election.
However, sources in the party said that the upcoming elections will be held under “collective leadership”.
Uttarakhand is currently under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party which saw as many as three chief ministers in five years.
