The term of Ganesh Godiyal the Congress MlA from Srinagar as the president of Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Mandir Samiti ending on November 29, those aspiring for the post, particularly those from the ruling Congress, are now increasingly making their presence felt.
The Congress MlA, who has not found any position in the Harish Rawat regime, is trying desperately to grab this post for the second time. Besides, some other Congress leaders and those deemed close to the Chief Minister keep manipulating things to win the prestigious post. Efforts are also on for the posts of vice-president and members of the committee.
Notably, while the tenure of the president would end on November 29 those of the vice-president and members have ended nearly one year ago. Currently, the committee consists of the president and three members. The committee generally comprises 17 members, ten of them being Government-nominated ones, one nominated each from amongst the members of Zila Panchayats of Chamoli, Tehri, Uttarkashi and Pauri districts and the rest three elected by the MlAs.
Three names are coming up for the post of the vice-president of the committee. They are Rajni Bhandari, former Zila Panchayat president, Jagdish Bhatt and Srinivas. Others are also likely to get into the race.
The appointment for the posts of both the president and the vice-president depend on the Chief Minister, as the posts being given traditionally to the political appointees. Given this fact, MlA Srinagar Ganesh Godiyal is most likely to get the second term as the president of the committee.
However, things might turn interesting with some Cabinet Ministers likely to foist their loyalists on the post. But determined to stop any bickering, CM is likely to give second term to Godiyal, who seems to be still enjoying his full confidence.