With speculations over the fate of the Harish Rawat Government running rife, the Chief Minister said on Tuesday that he had no knowledge of the whereabouts of the suspended BJP MlA Bhimlal Arya. Asked for comment on Arya being seen at Sahastradhara helipad along with Industrial adviser to the Chief Minister Ranjit Rawat, he pleaded his ignorance while talking to the mediapersons at Bijapur guest house.
He did the same regarding the letter the Governor is supposed to have written to the Speaker on the current political crisis.
He again lashed out at the Centre, alleging that the Narendra Modi Government had unleashed money and muscle power to topple his Government.
Visibly downcast, the CM said he was ready to make any sacrifice to save the image of the Congress, a statement that assumes significance against the party high command reconciling itself to sacrifice the State Government. Observers say that the party top brass is holding Rawat responsible for the crisis. They are seemingly of the view that he had precipitated it by leaving the dissidents led by Vijay Bahuguna out in the cold.
Shedding his ‘invincible optimism’ regarding the survival of his Government during the crucial floor test slated for March 28 a bit, he said that he was not in a position to take policy decisions at this juncture. “Things remaining under the consideration of the Governor, I cannot take important decisions,” he said.
The CM said that as the House would be adjourned following the floor test on March 28 he would not probably be able to expose the BJP conspiracy inside the House.
Observers say that the fact of the CM wilting under pressure is reflecting in his flagging confidence.