While the Congress in Uttarakhand continues to face factionalism, former State Cabinet Minister and AICC member Shurbir Singh Sajwan has said that leaders of the Congress’ alliance partner in Uttarakhand-Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) should reconsider their position and decide what their strength should be in the State Cabinet which can consist of only 12 Ministers. He also said that some Congress leaders making irresponsible statements in the media against the State Government without authorisation from the party should desist from doing so failing which disciplinary action should be taken against them.
Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Sajwan said, “The Congress and PDF had entered into alliance to form the Government in Uttarakhand. This does not mean that corruption will be allowed in the name of the alliance. Chief Minister Harish Rawat noticed such corrupt activities and put an effective stop on them,” he said. Referring to statements being made by some Congress leaders Sajwan said that making statements that go against the party line amount to indiscipline. “Party leaders should desist from making controversial statements failing which disciplinary action should be taken against them,” he stressed.
Coming to the defence of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, the former Cabinet Minister said that since Rawat was made the CM, the people of the State had begun expecting that the State Government would deliver on its promises because the CM is a person who has worked at the ground level and has served the public in various capacities. “When Rawat was made the CM thousands of people from across Uttarakhand had reached Dehradun to celebrate. However, some people have been unhappy ever since Rawat became the chief minister. Some leaders have recently started spreading rumours about the Chief Minister being unwell and planning to go abroad for a long time for treatment. However, all Government employees and citizens know that inspite of his health concerns, the CM is working upto 18 hours a day.”