UKD factions unite, vow to work as 'third alternative'

The Airy and Panwar factions of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal have united in what appears to be a major development in the condition of the once sole influential regional party of the State.  A day after deciding to reunite, heads of the two factions of UKD— Kashi Singh Airy and Trivendra Singh Panwar met at the party office in Dehradun on Friday and said that they were committing themselves to strengthen the party and added that in the future they would not provide any type of support to either the Congress or the BJP. 

It should be mentioned here that the UKD had become divided into about half a dozen factions since 2011 with the factions headed by Airy and Panwar being considered the major factions, both staking claim to being the original party. Forgetting past differences, the two leaders said that they would work to build the UKD into the third alternative for the voters in Uttarakhand. 

Addressing the media on the occasion Airy and Panwar said that all those wanting to strengthen the UKD are welcome in the party.  learning lessons from past mistakes, the party is now committed to move ahead with new people, enthusiasm and fresh perspective in order to facilitate the desired level of development in the State.

It should be mentioned here that after a party meeting held in Haridwar on Thursday, it was decided that the bi-annual convention of the party will be held on May 19-20 in which the new head of the party will be elected.  For this convention, Panwar has been made the coordinator and Harish Pathak has been made the co-coordinator. The party has also stressed on making an effective plan for agitation in support of the demand for making Gairsain the permanent capital of Uttarakhand.