State cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat, who lost the general election to BJP candidate Maj Gen BC Khanduri from Garhwal lok Sabha seat, has categorically demanded that the Chief Minister should remove two cabinet ministers, namely, Amrita Rawat, wife of ex-Congress leader Satpal Maharaj, and cabinet minister Mantri Prasad Naithani. CM Harish Rawat has outrightly refused to make any comment on the demand.
Talking to media, Harak Singh Rawat said that “recently BJP leader Satpal Maharaj’s sons were seen claiming in media that they voted in favour of the BJP candidate then what is the use to keep Amrita Rawat, wife of Satpal Maharaj, in the cabinet. She can continue in Congress as an MlA.” As far as Mantri Prasad Naithani, who is also close confidant of the Satpal Maharaj and leader of Progressive Democratic Front (PDF), is concerned then he should also be removed from the cabinet. Although it is the prerogative of the chief minister Harish Rawat but they should be removed from the cabinet.
It would be pertinent to mention here that Harak lost the general election to BJP candidate Maj Gen Khanduri by 1.84 lakh votes from Garhwal lok Sabha seat. Earlier, the seat was being represented by the Congress candidate Satpal Maharaj. During election Maharaj, who left Congress and joined the BJP, was seen canvassing for the BJP candidate Gen Khanduri in Garhwal lok Sabha seat.
Meanwhile, Amrita Rawat has categorically said that she is an MlA of the Congress and will remain loyal to the Congress party so Harish Rawat-led Uttarakhand Government is not facing any kind of threat. Even Naithani said that the Congress led State Government is stable and PDF will continue to support Harish Rawat Government.