Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat alleged that the top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party at the Central and State levels is using money-power to entice Congress MlAs in Uttarakhand. Further alleging that attempts are being made to prevent him from interacting with the public, Rawat stressed that he will continue his interaction with the public and even undertake a fast in protest against the devious actions of the BJP which resulted in the imposition of the President’s Rule in Uttarakhand. The former CM said this while addressing the media here on Monday.
Rawat said, “It is saddening to see the national Vice Presidents and general secretaries of the BJP are in Uttarakhand nowadays for horse-trading of MlAs. The statements of BJP leaders about some of the MlAs maintaining contact with the party leadership goes on to substantiate my allegation. Such politics cannot be considered correct in a democracy. The BJP has also started exerting pressure on constitutional institutions,” said Rawat while referring to statements of BJP leaders and some media reports hinting at the removal of the State Governor.
“An attempt is being made to stop me from explaining my position to the public with black flags being displayed and stones being pelted on my Pad Yatra. This shows that the BJP leaders do not want me to reach the public and raise issues like imposition of president’s rule by the BJP and the murder of democracy. To make the public aware of one’s thoughts is an important task in democracy and this right cannot be taken back in a parliamentary democracy.” Appreciating the statements of Communist Party of India leaders condemning the centre, Rawat said that there should be mutual respect among different ideologies in a democracy. He said that all public interest and anti-communalism forces need to come forward on this issue in order to enable proper functioning of a democracy.
Replying to a question, the former Chief Minister alleged that imposition of section 144 in the entire State further substantiates the allegation that the BJP does not want Congress leaders to raise these issues with the public.
“I will continue my Pad Yatra programme and if needed will also sit on fast in protest. If we are stopped from going to the public, I will go ahead alone to present my stance in front of the public. The BJP which used to accuse some ministers and leaders of the Congress party of major corruption in the past has now made these very politicians into crown jewels,” he taunted.
Replying to a question related to the Ganga river, Rawat said that he has made a commitment to complete the incomplete works related to the Ganga. If he gets the opportunity he will also complete the plans for the Ganga made with Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharti, added the ex-CM.