BJP senior leader and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on Saturday locked horns with Chief Minister Harish Rawat over misusing of Government machineries in poll activities. Nishank accused the Chief Minister of misusing the Government machinery to woo the voters in favour of his wife, Renuka Rawat who is the Congress candidate in Haridwar.
Nishank alleged that the Chief Minister is using the Government guest house in Haridwar for poll purposes against the Model Code of Conduct. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines no leader can stay in Government guest for more than 48 hours and he will avail on payment basis only, he claimed.
Countering the allegation, Harish Rawat said, “If the BJP thinks that I have done anything wrong then they should have lodged their complaint with the Election Commission. As you know that I am the sitting MP from Haridwar lok Sabha constituency and it is my duty to stay in Haridwar. If anyone thinks that I have done wrong then they should go to the EC instead of making absurd allegations before the media.”
Taking a swipe at Nishank, Harish Rawat raised Kumbha scam and NRHM scam to vilify him. He alleged Rs 200-crore scam in organising the 2010 Maha Kumbh mela when Nishank was Chief Minister. The Chief Minister had ordered CBI probe into the NHRM scam in 2008-2009 when Nishank was Health Minister.
CM Rawat is trying to throw a spanner in Nishank’s poll acitivities as he is giving a tough fight to Renuka Rawat. Harish Rawat was carrying out intensive campaigns in Haridwar to ensure his wife’s win.It would be pertinent to mention here that CM Rawat is currently sitting MP from Haridwar lok Sabha seat and thus pressure has mounted over him to retain the seat. If his wife loses the elction, opposition within the party would question popularity as Chief Minister.