Former Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat, who had led nine dissident Congress MlAs including ex-Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna while opposition BJP was demanding division of vote on appropriation Bill on March 18, may be shown the door out of the BJP. In case of such a situation, State Chief Minister Harish Rawat and BJP members opposing Harak’s entry in the BJP may have cause for celebration with a well known politician falling to politics. Reacting to the BJP allegation of pursuing vendetta politics against the newly inducted BJP leaders, the CM questioned the grounds for accusing him of conspiring in this case stating that the case against Harak had been lodged in Delhi by the Delhi police which functions under direct monitoring of BJP — led NDA Government at the centre.
It will be recalled that Harak Singh Rawat has had a tendency to remain in the limelight though often because of controversy, which is why the CM was said to have avoided challenging his decision when Harak was in office. During his cabinet minister stint between 2012 and 2016 he had locked horns with State Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani and despite stern resistance he managed to appoint his close confidant in the agriculture department on deputation from education department. Harak is known for his fighting spirit and determination to achieve the target if he is convinced to. Earlier during the Vidhan Sabha session, on March 18 media persons had been tipped off that some unusual incident may take place so they should remain inside the assembly building till the said incident takes place. When the nine dissidents deserted treasury bench and mingled with opposition while shouting slogan against the Harish Rawat government then Harak approached the media gallery and disclosed the name of the dissident MlAs. During department budget presentation chief minister Harish Rawat started presenting his budget but when Harak entered then CM had said that now minister has arrived so he would propose his department’s budget.
State BJP leaders including its State president Ajay Bhatt said that party is standing behind Harak Singh Rawat like rock but political analysts point out that the there have been recent developments like the Delhi police arresting sitting MlAs of the AAP-led Delhi Government regarding old cases. If they do not take any concrete action against Harak then situation would be embarrassing for BJP in monsoon session. As BJP is adamant to get the much awaited Goods & Service Tax (GST) bill-2016 passed in this ongoing session of Parliament. If they do not take concrete action then opposition, which has agreed to support GST with certain amendment, may change their mind and BJP would get major set back.
Political analyst said that since Harak singh Rawat has joined BJP then a faction of BJP leader is running upset because he has been facing threat from Harak and his fighting spirit. In this perspective the faction’s close confident has convened press conference to target Harak only. AS part of conspiracy Harak name has been grabbed in rape case so that he will have to face litigation for two to three years. If it happens then he would not be able to contest assembly election from BJP because his opposition would say that BJP has given a ticket to tinted candidate facing rape charges. Although final result would come after thorough probe but anticipation in its peak.