After the Garhwal MP Major General Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri’s (Rtd) decision to call it quits from active politics, speculations are rife about his successor from his Parliamentary constituency, the seat the Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Corps of Engineers Officer is representing for a record fifth time in the 16th lok Sabha.
Khanduri was elected from the Garhwal Parliamentary seat for the first time in 1991 and since then he has towered over the politics of the mountain State. Now on the wrong side of the age, the BJP veteran has publicly stated that he would now remain away from the electoral politics.
It is clear that Khanduri plans to hand over his political legacy to his daughter Ritu Khanduri Kumar, an MlA from Yamkeshwar Assembly constituency.
Observers opine that it would be natural that the senior Khanduri would demand party ticket for his daughter from Garhwal lok Sabha seat from BJP high command. Khanduri enjoys considerable support in the Garhwal lok Sabha constituency which has a sizeable population of retired and serving armed forces personnel. Another name which is doing rounds in the political circles is that of Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, the principal of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi. The personnel of NIM drew commendation from various quarters in their role and relief and reconstruction of Kedarnath shrine after the devastating deluge of 2013. A serving army officer, Kothiyal is planning to retire and according to political observers is all set to take a plunge in electoral politics.
In Youth Foundation, an organisation set up by Kothiyal to train youngsters for selection in armed forces, the officer has a team to bank on in case he decides to contest from Garhwal lok Sabha seat.
His supporters have already started projecting him as worthy replacement for B C Khanduri. Col Kothiyal’s image however got a dent recently when an inquiry was ordered by the State Government on alleged irregularities in construction of micro power project in Kedarnath. The name of head of BJP’s national media cell, Anil Balooni is also being taken to replace B C Khanduri from Pauri. Observers believe that being young and proximity to the top brass of the party could tilt scales in favour of Balooni.
According to senior journalist and political analyst, Jai Singh Rawat, Minister for Tourism Satpal Maharaj can also be formidable candidate if the party decides to field him from Garhwal in 2019. Maharaj has represented the constituency in 11th lok Sabha (Tiwari Congress) and in 15 lok Sabha on Congress party’s symbol. Incidentally he defeated B C Khanduri on both the occasions. Observers feel that considering his political stature, the present profile of Maharaj is not suited for him and by contesting lok Sabha elections he can get out of the politics of state and play some role in national politics. Jai Singh Rawat also lists young Shaurya Doval, son of powerful National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval as prospective candidate considering his recent activities. The Junior Doval drew attention by his presence in working committee meeting at Haldwani recently. Some analysts also prop up the name of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Bipin Rawat for Garhwal lok Sabha constituency.
“Considering the popularity he enjoys and the fact that he belongs to Garhwal, he would be a formidable candidate from the area. All of us consider him as a worthy replacement for Major General Khanduri,’’ said one of the observers.
The Garhwal lok Sabha constituency is spread across five districts of Uttarakhand; Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal and Nainital.