A statement which was made by a BJP leader against Congress candidate Harak Singh Rawat contesting election for Garhwal lok Sabha seat, has created commotion in State politics.
On Friday, State BJP general secretary Dhan Singh Rawat said: “Pauri me jab kabhi bhi ladki gayab hoti hai to log kehte has Harak Singh Rawat le gaya hoga (In Pauri, whenever a girl's missing case is reported, people say Harak Singh Rawat might have eloped with the girl). BJP leaders, who were quite confident about BJP candidate ex-CM Maj Gen BC Khanduri victory, were seen dissociating themselves with the statement of Dhan Singh. Realising the statement has gone against the BJP, BJP has begun damage control exercise.
Talking to The Pioneer, State BJP president Tirath singh Rawat said that it is very unfortunate and appealed to their party colleague to refrain from making such absurd statement against anyone.Political analysts said that by making such absurd statement, BJP leaders have tried to give political advantage to Cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat, who has been contesting parliamentary election against BJP candidate Maj Gen BC Khanduri from Gahrwal lok Sabha seat. It shows that BJP is still facing factionalism within the party; otherwise, party leaders would not have made such statement.
If this continues, then BJP's so-called safest seat (Garhwal lok Sabha) out of five lok Sabha seat of the State would be tough because Harak is known to turn the tide in his favour. Close confidants of Gen Khanduri have taken the statement very seriously and they have begun damage control exercise.
Reacting on it, State PCC President Yashpal Arya said that BJP leader has made personal attack on Harak Singh Rawat. "In politics, they can make statements, but attack should not be made below the belt. It seems BJP has realised that Harak Singhji has been giving tough fight to their candidate in Pauri which is why they have started attacking him personally."
Cabinet Minister Rawat is known for his fighting spirit and has given tough fight to Opposition during election. Sources said that the statement has displeased Cabinet Minister Rawat and he may take legal action against the leader.
It was well planned attack by the BJP leader because they made such statement a day ahead when Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat was supposed to file his nomination paper on Saturday, although it does not seem to have made any dent in the Cabinet Minister's image because a large gathering welcomed him in Pauri on Saturday.