Whereas the BJP had removed the then party Chief Minister Maj Gen Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri soon after party's debacle in general elections in Uttarakhand in 2009, it was expected but the rival ruling Congress party that met similar fate in the recently concluded lok Sabha polls in the mountain State, seems to have not required courage to take at least some course corrective measures in post poll environment.
Removal of the then State Cabinet Minister Amrita Rawat from council of ministers soon after party's defeat in Uttarakhand lok Sabha elections-2014, is being seen here as a step by Chief Minister Harish Rawat to strengthen his position. Otherwise, had the Congress Party been serious about its defeat many head would have rolled given the party's poor performance in the recently concluded elections.
It is worth mentioning here that out of 70 assembly constituencies, the Congress party that emerged single largest party in 2012 assembly polls in the hill State nearly two years ago, ended up losing as many 63 assembly segments in less than two years time in the lok Sabha polls in 2014.
But no action has been taken at any level of the party so far. The fact of the matter is that even party's stalwarts like State Congress party president, Yashpal Arya and senior party leaders and Cabinet Minister Indira Hridayesh to name a few could not give the party lead in their respective assembly constituencies i.e. the Bazpur assembly constituency in Udham Singh Nagar and Haldwani assembly constituencyies in Nainital districts respectively.
The Congress party candidate lost over 11,000 votes in the Bazpur assembly constituency (reserved) and by about a margin of 5,000 votes in the Haldwani assembly constituency in the recently concluded general elections.
It is worth mention here that it was not a sudden reaction of the people against the ruling Congress party in the state. It all started with this party's poor show in the civic bodies' elections held in the summer of 2013 when the Congress party also lost Mayor polls even the high profile Haldwani assembly constituency to the BJP in 2013.
Voices against change of leadership had begun from within the Congress party soon after formation of its Government in the State nearly two years ago .More so, perhaps realising the mood of the party's rank and file, incumbent Yashpal Arya later on handed over his resignation to the party high command.
But despite dissenting voices from within the party for a change for such a long time, the Congress central leadership has not move ahead for restructuring of the party in Uttarakhand, except replacing face of the State Government.However, change of guard at the Government level has not worked so. The State unit of the party definitely needs some restructuring, admits a senior Congress leader on the condition of anonymity.
The party's decision to continue with Yashpal Arya as State Congress unit chief has also not worked. Though we managed to return to power in the hill State in 2012, we fell short of majority mark under the leadership of incumbent Yashpal Arya. Yet the party high command did not realise revamping of the State Congress unit. Now this is the high time the party high command must take a decision keeping in view sentiments of the party works at the grass root level, added the party leader.