Chief Minister Harish Rawat must be having a psychological edge over his opponents, particularly the BJP, following the Assembly bypolls held in July going in his party's favour, but the people of Uttarakhand are still awaiting the tough decisions that Rawat had hinted at to facilitate good governance and greater degree of transparency in the functioning of the Government immediately after the bypoll results were announced.
Perhaps, acting on his assertions, Rawat later tried to assert himself by scuttling some controversial decisions of his ministers, including cancellation of teachers' transfer orders.
Besides, the State Government also implemented one of its much-awaited announcements in regard to teachers' appointment recently. But alleged irregularities in the appointment of teachers in basic education sector, as many of the applicants, particularly those who could not get places for themselves in this recruitment drive, are alleging here, have raised questions over the State Government's determination to maintain transparency in its functioning.
Disregarding criticism or resistance that he had faced after overruling some controversial decisions of his Cabinet colleagues, the Chief Minister moved ahead with his agenda of governance. Yet, there is nothing visible that could add to the good governance of the Himalayan State on the ground. Among others, there are some important projects like industrial reforms slated to be carried out in Sitarganj (Udham Singh Nagar district) under SIIDCUl phase- II as mooted in then Vijay Bahuguna regime. But the said project is yet to be implemented.
The fact is that the State Government has recently rather found itself in the quagmire of intra-party distemper. None other than one of the Chief Minister's close confidantes, the MlA from Pithoragarh Assembly constituency Mayukh Mahar staging protest against his own party's Government has given such an impression.
Here it seems even the Chief Minister's taking 'all along policy' is not working in his favour. Notably, to strengthen his position within the party and the Government, the Chief Minister accommodated most of his party MlAs and senior party leaders in one capacity or the other in the State Government.
Yet, dissidence rearing its head keeps causing huge embarrassment to his Government. Although the State Government now claims to have addressed the grievances of the disgruntled Congress MlA from Pithoragarh Assembly Constituency that does not guarantee a smooth sail for the Chief Minister in the coming days. Rather, there is a possibility that dissidence would gain momentum as the next Assembly election would draw near.