Jockeying for credit for making Rudrapur as Tehsil, two BJP MlAs and a Congress's ex-MlA were involved in a ruckus in the presence of Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Monday. leaving aside the political rivalry, the intra-party factionalism within the Congress has also played its part in the rumpus.
Talking to The Pioneer, Kichha MlA Rajesh Shukla said that as the new tehsil, wedged between two Assembly constituencies —Rudrapur and Kichha — was being inaugurated, both Rajkumar Thukral and himself had considered it their duty as MlAs to attend. As per the norms, the local MlA is bound to preside over any Government function if it is being held in his constituency, he said, adding “during the function, we spoke about Harish Rawat's hectic daily schedule despite his neck injury."
However, former MlA Tilak Raj Behad, who is enjoying a Cabinet Minister's status, said that the tehsil had become possible due to the Congress Government's initiative and that the people should be ashamed of their local MlAs for having failed to have the tehsil formed during the BJP regime between 2007 and 12.
"We found this brag extremely unsavoury and vulgar. Hence, humiliated, we got down from the dais," Shukla said.
Meanwhile, things seemed to be spiraling out of control with Behad supporters having started sloganeering. As things were headed a pandemonium, CM Rawat stepped in, seeking to pacify the angry BJP activists. Rawat said a few goons are out to sabotage the function, seemingly to the ex-MlA and his supporters who are loyal to his bête nior Ex-Chief Minister Vijay Bhuguna. The CM then asked officials to take stringent action.