Even the big wins of Congress in Rajasthan, MP, and Chhattisgarh have failed to change the scenario in Uttarakhand where Congress leaders are involved in intense infighting. Very recently, a few supporters of ex-Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat were expelled from Congress for alleged anti-party activities. This has intensified the conflict within Uttarakhand Congress.
Launching a direct attack on senior Congress leader Indira Hridayesh, Ranikhet legislator Karan Mehra said, “It is an attack on AICC general secretary and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Many top Congress leaders are making statements against Harish Rawat regularly since the past few months.”
Uttarakhand Congress general secretary Khazan Pandey, Maruti Shah, and a few others belonging to the Rawat camp were expelled from the party recently. The move has created a fresh rift in the party. Indira Hridayesh defended the decision by claiming, “Those who occupy top posts in Congress and take little interest in party candidates during the election and spread rumours through social media should be ready for action. When they crossed the limit, an action was taken against them.”
After facing a humiliating defeat in the state assembly elections last year and loss in the recently concluded local body elections, many were expecting the Congress to unite for fighting a strong BJP in the forthcoming polls. But the ongoing infighting between Congress leaders leaves little hope. Even ex-Chief Minister and AICC general secretary Harish Rawat jumped into the controversy by mocking Indira Hridayesh and sharing a tweet, “The Chief Minister has insulted our Congress leader. He said that the Congress leader requested him to field a weak candidate to allow his supported candidate win. It is like an abuse. The CM’s statement should be condemned.”
Harish Rawat made the comment hours after the final result of the Rajasthan, MP, and Chhattisgarh results were declared. By defending and opposing the expulsions, the Uttarakhand Congress seems all set to keep the fight going on for a long time.