In a bid to express solidarity within the Congress, a meeting was organised but factionalism was openly visible within the party as the State Cabinet Ministers, who have been running aggrieved due to delay in distribution of portfolio, have covertly made an attack on Chief Minister Harish Rawat in the presence of State Congress in-charge Ambika Soni on Saturday. Political analysts believe it was only beginning and if CM Rawat failed to put a check on it, then situation might become volatile in days ahead.
On Saturday, factionalism within the Congress was apparent in the presence of Ambika Soni and former Chief Minster Vijay Bahuguna. Cabinet Minister Hridayesh reminded Chief Minister Harish Rawat of the two major challenges ahead of the latter i.e, to ensure victory of party candidates in the State during upcoming general election and to execute the restoration work in disaster affected areas.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat, who had verbal fight with another Cabinet Minister during meeting on Friday, overtly said that he did everything for the welfare of people. Disclosing about the verbal tussle Harak Singh Rawat said that to show loyalty towards newly incepted CM Rawat, a Cabinet Minister had alleged that Bahuguna had sanctioned monetary relief on several petitions which belonged to the State but was filed by then Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat under the Chief Minister Discretion Fund (CMDF) asked it to be reviewed. On this issue, he had verbal fight with the Minister and said that he has served the State as the leader of Opposition during 2007-12 so people from all over the State went to him. He also reiterated that CMDF is for the people of the State so it would be futile to make ceiling on it.
Visibly upset Minister Rawat said that CM Rawat is competent to tackle all the portfolios so he can hold it for the remaining three years as well. He also reiterated that he does not bow down under pressure of anyone and he takes every move as per the wishes of mass, who made him public representative. Political analyst says that this would be first comment made by a Cabinet Minister against CM Rawat. He further said that if CM Rawat makes delay in distribution of portfolios then another Cabinet Minister may also make revolt against the Government.