Chief Minister Harish Rawat accused the BJP of not being interested in the development of Gairsain while talking to the media persons here on Friday. He further said that mere sloganeering would not help the shift of the capital. “We have been laying the groundwork for years in terms of building infrastructure and the like, clearing decks for the shift of the capital,” he said. At the same time, he warned that he would tolerate anybody seeking to disturb peace and harmony of the state on the issue of the capital shift.
“It is visible to everyone how we have been building huge infrastructure to better connectivity. BJP has made a mockery of the people’s sentiment by boycotting the session. By this, they have made it clear that they have just contempt for Gairsain,” he said. “Contrast it with our approach. We have been conducting Assembly sessions here since 2014. BJP is not cooperating because they don’t want development in the hills. There is not a single session that they have allowed to run smoothly,” CM said.
“It is sad that the Opposition party sent just 12 of its 25 MlAs to attend the session on the first day. When they walked out there were just seven MlAs from their side present. It reveals that they have scant regard for the place, focused as they are on political brinkmanship. They were in power for many years since the state was formed in November 2000. But they did nothing on the matter. Instead of addressing the issue, they talked about installation of statues and opening an education director’s office here. After the election, they had the office closed down and the staffers transferred elsewhere,” he said.
Tearing further into the Opposition party, he said that they were out to create disturbance on the issue. “Their demanding a debate on the matter under section 310 reveals their disruptive mindset. They did it, knowing full well that the government would not accept it. Had they agreed to have the debate held under another section we would have agreed. They appeared to be intent on leaving Gairsain at the earliest,” CM said.
“We on our part are working on a fixed roadmap. Much of the works has been executed on the ground. We have sought budget to develop the area,” he said.
“As for me, I can say that I would not use the matter politically. I would write to the Centre to help us with clearing lands on the stretch between Gauchar and Sari Gwardara so that a plane can land here at Gairsain. As far as road connectivity is concerned we are working on seven roads- Marchula-Bhikiyasain-Mahalchauri, Kaudiyala-Vyasghat-Satpuli-Thalisain-Nagchulan, Kheeri-Swama Gwaldum-Bharadisain, Peersain-Popraikhal-Saraikot-Nagchulakhal-Pandukhaal, Dharasu-lambganv-Maletha and Chamba Maletha,” Harish Rawat said. For this state would constitute Gairsain road connectivity infrastructure corporation.