She may not have been able to secure her elevation to the top job in the State Government despite being a strong contender in the past, but State Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh appeared full of confidence when she took charge of office of the Chief Minister at her residence here on Tuesday on the direction of Chief Minister Harish Rawat who is presently recuperating in the AIIMS in Delhi.
She not only tried to solve problems of many people on the spot, but also met public representatives at her residence and discussed matters of greater public interests in detail.
Assuring the people of solving their concerns on priority basis, Hridayesh maintained that she along with her routine works, would discharge the responsibilities of the Chief Minister's office with full sincerity and honestly.
“There will be no laxity in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the State. Our Government is committed to all round development. To give priority to development has been tradition of the Congress party and so we are committed to it,” she added.
However, Hridayesh further said, “Some allegations are being leveled that this State Government is sick. But we would like to say that a particular person may fall sick, but a Government never falls sick. As I have said our Government is committed to development and we would continue to work for the people ahead also. There will be no letup as far as development is concerned,” she asserted.
“I would try to accelerate the pace of development in association with my Cabinet colleagues, MlAs and senior officials and all round development would be her top priority,” she added.
At the same time Hridayesh also maintained that apart from ongoing developmental works, by-elections are also before the Government. “But we are confident that we would win all the three by elections which are going to be held in next month. The people would definitely support us in these by polls keeping in view the development that has taken place in the Congress regime,” she added.
At the same time Hridayesh also wished early recovery of Chief Minister Rawat, saying we would like to say that he gets well soon and works for the welfare of the people.
According to the present arrangement she would be working as acting Chief Minister till Rawat rejoins office in near future. But to become Chief Minister of the Himalayan state has been the long cherished dream of Hridayesh as any other politicians wish. There were two occasions in the past when Hridayesh could have become Chief Minister of the hill State.
First in early 2012 past State Assembly elections, when she was the frontrunner for the top job in the State Government. But the Congress party had to zero in on the name of Vijay Bahuguna as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
Similar situation arose in early 2014 when the Congress party had to finally bring in incumbent Harish Rawat. But that time too State Finance Minister and MlA from Haldwani Assembly constituency, Indira Hridayesh left behind in the race for top job of the State Government for reasons best known to her.
Yet her supporters still maintain that there is nothing impossible in politics. There could be such possibilities in future for her. The fact is that she has already proved herself as minister as far as development is concerned. So hope is always there, they maintain.