Dhami govt up for another test as state readies for municipal polls
As announced by the state election commissioner Sushil Kumar municipal elections in Uttarakhand will be held on January 23 while counting of votes will be done on January 25.
The budget session of the Uttarakhand assembly began on a stormy note with the main Opposition Congress party raising the issue of making Gairsain the permanent capital of Uttarakhand.
Activists staged protests outside the House keeping security forces on their toes at Bharadisain (Gairsain) on Tuesday. Many women protesters used a forest path to dodge the security forces and even reach the reception centre of the Uttarakhand assembly.
Advertisement
The protesters created a lot of trouble for the security forces. There was a scuffle between the protesters, demanding making Gairsain the permanent capital of Uttarakhand, and police.
Advertisement
Sensing the mood of the agitators, Uttarakhand Police’s DGP Anil Raturi had to jump into action to help cops manage the situation. Due to protest from the Congress, the house was adjourned.
During the Uttarakhand movement days, the statehood agitators had reached consensus on making Gairsain the permanent capital of Uttarakhand. The Trivendra Rawat government announced setting up a mini secretariat at Gairsain in the assembly on Tuesday.
The process of transferring 67.50 acres of land for the construction of the mini-secretariat is underway at present. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said, “Congress has no moral right to comment on Gairsain. They were in power for 10 long years in Uttarakhand and did nothing to resolve the capital issue. They are merely shouting and continue to do so.”
This time the Uttarakhand assembly session at Bharadisain (Gairsain) was different. Governor K.K Paul addressed the session for the first time in Gairsain.
Trivendra Rawat became the first ever Chief Minister to reach Gairsain by road. His move also forced ministers and MLAs to opt for the bumpy ride from Rishikesh to Gairsain. The legislators missed the cozy chopper ride this time.
By playing the mini secretariat card, BJP has once again indicated that they too are keen on doing symbolic things like Congress. It is now clear that whichever party is out of power in Uttarakhand will raise the permanent capital issue.
Advertisement
