Two-day long Manthan Shivir (brainstorming session) presided over by the party’s State Congress in-charge Ambika Soni that concluded on Sunday has thrown up things that pinpoint changing equations in the moving matrix of the Congress’s internal politics. With the Congress’s politics here polarised between two factions—one loyal to the Chief Minister Harish Rawat and the other to his bête noir and his predecessor Vijay Bahuguna, things seem fluid as Rawat’s confidante and State Congress president Kishore Upadhyaya seems to have switched sides.
The most interesting feature of the just-concluded session is that Upadhyaya and Bahuguna were on the same page as far as the growing clamour for PDF’s ouster from the State Ministry is concerned. If the two leaders come close it would definitely prove a thorn on the flesh of Rawat. It is the last thing he wants now to happen when he is reigning supreme both in the party roost as well as in the realm of governance.
“Wrinkles of worry are deepening on his forehead with one of his most trusted cronies showing signs of belligerence. Maybe, Upadhyaya is unhappy with his mentor. More possibly, he is angry with the PDF quota State Cabinet Minister Dinesh Dhanai. With Rawat throwing his full weight behind PDF, the chasm between the two dominant factions would grow with passing time. Spotlight would, however, be trained on Upadhyaya.
Things are more interesting against the backdrop of the fact that Upadhyaya held Bahuguna responsible for his 2012 Assembly election defeat to Independent MlA Dinesh Dhanai from Tehri constituency. What is worrisome for him is that wily Dahnai is making full use of his ministerial power to endear himself further to the electorate of the constituency.
If things continue Upadhyaya seems to have even no outside chance to get into the portals of the Assembly through this constituency. So, there is no element of surprise in the PCC chief tilting towards Bahuguna,” an observer said. Exuding confidence, CM said if the present Government continues for the next six months he would usher in momentous changes. But, in the same breath, he said those who have learnt the rudiments of politics from him should desist from preaching what he ought to do.
The observers feel that beneath the crust of confidence lurk palpable elements of insecurity. “This is why he alluded to the continuity of his Government for the next six months,” an observer said. Differing perceptions of Updhayaya’s elevation to the post he is now holding seems to have frozen things between Rawat and Upadhyaya. While Rawat is convinced he was instrumental Upadhyaya believes the AICC catapulted him at the helm of the party in the State owing to the confidence it has in his organisational skill.
Talking to The Pioneer, Upadhyaya said that the PDF Ministers are controlling most of such Ministries which have direct bearing on the mass. “They are acting arbitrarily, contemptuously rejecting pleas the Congress workers make,” he said. Notably, the Congress Ministry came up in March 2012 with support from PDF that comprises seven MlAs—three from BSP, one from UKD (P) and three Independents. Congress strength was then 32 in the 70-member Assembly. Now, it has gone up to 35.
That PDF is enjoying five cabinet berths seems to be rankling in the Congress leaders, particularly those for whom ministries are proving elusive with PDF staying put. Bahuguna who has been in a sulk mode since he was edged out as the CM is supposed to be propping up the disgruntled aspirants for ministerial berths.
Such a strategy is serving two purposes at the same time-keeping the disgruntled under his thumb and weakening Rawat’s stature in the scheme of things. “Rawat has seen much during his long stint in politics. To him, PDF is more reliable than most of the MlAs belonging to his own party. There is every possibility for him to cling to PDF to survive through the shenanigans of his detractors. Once PDF is gone, he would be precariously vulnerable. He would almost be at the mercy of Bahuguna and his cronies to remain saddled-a spectacle he hates to visualise,” a watcher of State Congress commented.