Bowing to pressure from the Progressive Democratic Front (PDF), the State Government has terminated Khanpur MlA Kunwar Pranav Singh 'Champion' from the post of Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation (UFDC) chairman with immediate effect on Wednesday.
With this decision, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has sent message to his party colleagues that the State Government is not going to tolerate indiscipline anymore. Political analysts say that by removing 'Champion' from post of UFDC chairman, PDF has shown its strength as well.
Although officially no declaration was made, The Pioneer has exclusive photograph of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna signing the termination order of ‘Champion’ at the Silk Mark Expo-2013. It was clearly visible that Bahuguna was signing the order ‘with disappointment’. As per the order, the State Government has empowered Principal Secretary Forest S Ramaswami to take charge of chairman of UFDC till new appointment.
MlA 'Champion' had alleged that chief minister is surrounded by goons and Cabinet Minister Surendra Rakesh is promoting corruption on October 8.
Taking cognizance on it, Minister Rakesh along with PDF members met Chief Minister the same day and warned "either you take action against the MlA in next 10 days or we may be free to withdraw support from the Congress-led State Government".
Meanwhile, State Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) tried to console the PDF members by serving show cause notice to the MlA 'Champion', but the MlA refused by saying that he has not received any communiqué from party and left for Delhi to convey hisgrievance to party high command.
State Congress-in-charge Ambika Soni took this matter seriously and had a meeting with CM Bahuguna in Delhi on October 12.Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bahuguna's close associate and Narendranagar MlA Subodh Uniyal had tried to meet champion to end the stand off, but he refused to have any deliberation other than party high command on this issue.
With this declaration he had closed the door for negotiation. Seeing lackadaisical approach of the State PCC, which has served show cause notice, PDF reiterated his commitment that they have given ultimatum to the State Government so ball is in their court.
Political analysts say that by terminating, CM Bahuguna has sent message to party colleagues, who were consistently seen spewing anger against the State Government, that there should be no more indiscipline.
MlA 'Champion' has always been in the limelight by firing bullet in his daughter birthday or having dispute with hotel owner in Haridwar or firing bullet in Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat dinner party or flexing muscle in IIT Roorkee college fest or riding bike with Haridwar SSP Rajiv Swarup or addressing media against Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat or making statement that the Congress will lose all five lok Sabha seat of Uttarakhand in upcoming general election-2014. It seems in the coming days, the party may face inimical situation, which is why party leaders avoided any comment on it.
Unofficially, they confirmed that action has been taken against the MlA 'Champion', but they did not dare to comment on record. It seems they want to see reaction of MlA 'Champion' for his termination. If he sits mum, then the Congress party may find out a middle path by giving some other portfolio.