Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat finally broke his silence regarding the confusion over better management of elections along with contesting Lok Sabha seats within the Congress in Uttarakhand. Expressing his commitment to contest the elections under the leadership of State Congress President Karan Mahara and Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya, he said that we will have to fight well in all the five parliamentary elections. Not only this, he supported Yashpal Arya to contest elections from Almora Lok Sabha constituency and expressed it as his wish. The political implications of this attitude of Harish Rawat are being drawn before the meeting of the screening committee to be held on Tuesday in New Delhi to decide the ticket. Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat is considered a strong contender for the party ticket from Haridwar Lok Sabha seat.
He has also been active in his constituency for a long time. It is a different matter that he has also advocated for giving ticket to his son Virendra Singh Rawat on Haridwar seat. State Congress President Karan Mahara’s claim from this seat has also come to the fore. However, a few days ago, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat had expected State Congress President Mahara to contest the elections strongly for the party. Supporters of both sides were very active on internet media regarding this. After this, Harish Rawat refrained from commenting further and remained silent on this topic for a long time. The meeting of the State Congress Screening Committee is to be held in New Delhi on Tuesday. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya and State Congress President Karan Mahara will participate in the meeting.
It is believed that the committee can send the panel of candidates for all the five seats of Uttarakhand to the Central Election Committee with its recommendations. The screening committee will take the decision after considering the surveys conducted by the party at various levels, feedback from MLAs, former MLAs, former MPs and senior leaders in the state and the proposal given by the State Congress Committee. At present, many candidates who are considered strong are refusing to contest the elections, due to which the party is worried.
Harish Rawat made his stand public for the first time
The post posted by former Chief Minister Harish Rawat on the internet media before the screening committee meeting in New Delhi is being considered important. For the first time, he has made public his stand regarding Almora reserved seat. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya has refused to stake claim on this seat or contest the elections. However, the state organization has considered him a strong candidate in its recommendation. Former MP Pradeep Tamta is also a contender for this seat. Tamta is considered very close to former Chief Minister Harish Rawat. The former Chief Minister has now supported Yashpal Arya on this seat. Also, in case he does not contest the elections, Pradeep Tamta has been described as a natural contender. He also declared it his duty to work for the victory of both.
Describing State President Karan Mahara and Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya as captain and coach of a cricket team for elections, Harish Rawat has also expected them to set an example by leading from the front. It was also made clear that with increasing age his abilities were becoming limited. Therefore, the party has been asked to assess their usefulness and capability and what to expect from them.