Rebutting the allegation being made by State Bharatiya Janata Party leaders over the flouting of the model code of conduct, a combative Chief Minister Harish Rawat said on Tuesday that the leader of the Opposition, who is also State BJP chief, Ajay Bhatt should seek an apology from the people for raising false charges.
Bhatt had alleged that the CM had been giving instructions to the bureaucrats aside from clearing files himself, in blatant violation of the model code of conduct.
“I dare Bhatt to present documentary evidences in support of his allegations. It seems he is preparing grounds to explain away his party’s impending debacle. He must shield PM Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah from the ignominy of the poll debacle. This is why he is training guns on me on concocted charges,” Rawat said.
He reiterated that being the chief minister of a state, he was committed to adhering to the election commission’s direction and model code of conduct. “let the BJP leaders tell me whether the election commission has directed me to sit idle if a disaster happens and fire rages in the forest,” he said. “The financial year ending on March 31, it is my responsibility to send utilisation certificates (UC) against the budget released by the Centre. Besides, I am duty-bound to remind the Centre of the funds meant for the state left pending. Does it constitute violation of the model code of conductIJ” he said.
He also defended his giving instruction to the bureaucrats, saying that it was a part of the routine work of the CM. “Either the saffron leaders are ignoramus of the constitutional accountability of the chief minister or they are doing it on a purpose to target me, knowing full well that we are returning to power, post March 11 counting,” CM said.
“I advise them to come out of the vortex of making allegations and counter allegations. Instead, they should join us in demanding release of Rs 330 crore under SPAR and Rs 1500 crore out of Rs 2700 crore being given by World Bank and ADB, Rs 2700 out of Rs 3000 crore under CSSR and Rs 500 crore under NDRF. This would serve the interests of the state better,” Harish Rawat said.