Though the Congress has not yet announced the names of its candidates from the five lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, sources state that Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj and former CM and ex-Tehri MP Vijay Bahuguna are likely to be fielded by the party from Garhwal and Tehri respectively. In the recent past, both Maharaj and Bahuguna had refused to contest the Parliamentary elections but sources in the party state that issues raised by the two will be resolved and that they are likely to be declared party candidates.
Talking to The Pioneer, Congress State spokesman Dhirendra Pratap said that Chief Minister Harish Rawat had met Maharaj on Tuesday and discussed various issues. “I am hopeful that issues raised by both Maharaj and Bahuguna will be resolved and they will be fielded from Garhwal and Tehri constituencies respectively,” he said while adding that the list of the Congress candidates from the five lok Sabha seats is likely to be released in the coming days.
Meanwhile, in a Press statement, Maharaj said that the State government must take necessary steps without delay to stop the migration of people from the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. Stating that he is committed to facilitating the integrated development of mountainous regions, the Garhwal MP averred that he had raised important issues on this subject from the road to the Parliament and would continue his efforts in this direction.