The Progressive Democratic Front (PDF), which is an alliance of 7 MlAs belonging to Independent, Bahujan Samaj Party and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, is expected to emerge as kingmaker as anti- Bahuguna camp is engaging in hectic lobbying to replace the Chief Minister. Realising this, both the anti- and pro- Bahuguna camps have been in touch with the PDF.
Talking to The Pioneer, the PDF has said that it has given its support to the Congress-led Uttarakhand Government. If the both the factions could not reach a consensus on the CM's nominee, the faction, which got the support of PDF, would grab the post. Meanwhile, few MlAs have written letters to the party high command expressing their solidarity with Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.
Though the Chief Minister has denied any such development in the party, sources said that if the Congress high command did not take any decision on the dissenting voices in the party, it may face annihilation in upcoming General elections in the State. Talking to the mediapersons, Union Minister for Water resources Harish Rawat, who had come to Dehradun to grace the 40th Junior National Volleyball Championship, rejected any such development for change of guard in the State. later, he said that he himself come to know about it through media only because no party leaders or officials have discussed it with him so far.
However, sources said that the Congress high command has agreed to replace CM Bahuguna and Cabinet Ministers — including Indira Hridayesh, Harak Singh Rawat and Pritam Singh — are in the fray. This time, MlAs supporting Harish Rawat have said that no leader other than Harish Rawat will be acceptable as new Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
Sources said that infighting among the party leaders has dampened the mood of party workers. BSP MlA Sarvat Karim Ansari had said that the BSP did not want Harish Rawat to be Chief Minister of Uttarakhand as the party would be great loss to BSP especially in Haridwar, which is being represented by Rawat in the lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, exploiting the emerging situation in the ruling Congress, State BJP president Tirath Singh Rawat has warmed up to Congress MlAs and members of PDF. Party high command has taken it very seriously. Seeing instability in the State, BJP MlA Bishan Singh Chufal was reportedly motivating Cabinet Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal to claim his leadership by offering support to him.