Chief Minister Harish Rawat celebrated a belated Holi at his residence here on Saturday afternoon as he remained pent up in Delhi on Friday — the day the festival of colours was celebrated in Uttarakhand. The festival was celebrated as Holi Milan at his New Cant residence. He gave the celebration a miss this year as he was engaged in dialogue in Delhi to finalise the candidate for the Rajya Sabha by-election slated on March 20 . However, his absence during the festival having triggered speculation in the political circles, he promptly arranged Holi Milan on his arrival here to clear the air of gathering confusion. Invitations were sent on Friday itself.
His absence had naturally raised eyebrows as all close to him knows how he loves to be amongst the people, to participate in such revelry with oomph with all. However, he compensated things in full a day after as the precincts of the CM's residence was imbued with the colour of joy.
Amongst those who attended the Holi congregation was significantly the leader of Opposition Ajay Bhatt who has raised ruckus over the State Government's nexus with the liquor mafias. However, the political animosity melted in air as Bhatt smeared the Chief Minister with the colours that signifies bonds of friendship. The ambience of bonhomie made one recall what the CM's media in-charge Surendra Kumar had said a day before Holi — "in view of Holi loP Bhatt has thrown colour on the State Government; so it is now my turn to return the gesture."
The CM met people from cross-sections of the society, reminding them of what the festival epitomises-unity and fraternity. Development being his forte, he did not forget to mention that they all are now part of the march forward towards a prosperous future. The Government has introduced a plethora of programmes to better things for the unprivileged. Their results would be palpable soon, he assured.
Other dignitaries including cabinet minister Dinesh Aggrawal, MlAs Navprabhat and, Umesh Sharma Kau, Musoorie Municipality chairman Manmohan Mall, congress leaders Jot Singh Ghunsola, Deep Sharma, Samajwadi Party leader Vinod Berthwal, Addtional chief secretary Rakesh Sharma, DGP BS Sidhu and other IAS, IPS, media person and social workers were there.