Even as Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat called him as pain killer that always pacified the pain in the party in the past, he aggravated the ‘turmoil’ by strongly defending Dharchula Congress MlA Harish Dhami who recently threatened to resign from the post of MlA.
Reacting to recent ‘turmoil’ broke out in the Congress after threat by Dharchula MlA Harish Dhami, Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat, who was in the city on Saturday, said, “No MlA is lobbying for political post. They want to draw the attention of State Chief Minister towards the point that people are not getting benefit of development works.”
He further said, “We should be thankful to Dhami as he has apprised Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna of the people grievance. Dhami has managed to become the voice of the masses.”
The Minister defined himself as a pain killer that would pacify the pain once more. “Harish Rawat is a pain killer that been working to pacify the pain. Once more, He (I) will try to console the agitated MlA.”
The Minister, however, made it clear that MlAs were angry because State Government failed in delivering development on ground. He reiterated that Chief Minister is leader of the MlAs so they have expressed their views which they perceived after having deliberation with common man.
The Minister also reacted sarcastically on the recent comment by Chief Minister: “I am tiger and Dhami is deer”, Rawat said, “Being a deer, I can’t do anything except watching.”
When asked whether he was also a tiger, the Minister said, “I am a deer only.”
Rawat advised the Chief Minister to sort out the grievances by the MlAs before it is too late. The Minister said, “Several other MlAs too are fumed as promises made in election manifesto are not being fulfilled. The officials are not listening to them and corruption is rampant. The MlAs have to answer the public.”
He further added, “If things continue like this, they are bound to lose the next elections. They expressed their pain with a hope that the senior leaders would step in to remove the stalemate that has got into the system deep and hindering development.”
Asked if there was any ‘sour’ between the Chief Minister and him, Rawat denied making comment on the matter. He said that Chief Minister called on him in Delhi and apprised him of the political situation in the State.
Replying to a question that Rawat is second time visiting the Congress Bhawan in less than two-day, Rawat said that on Thursday he reached the party office late evening. Therefore, several Congress workers could not meet him. As they expressed to meet him personally, the minister decided to meet party workers at party office on Saturday.
Talking about PCC president, which is supposed to be announced early by the party high command, Rawat said that instead of appointing anyone party high command should conduct election for PCC president. With this party will get mass leaders, who will later work as bridge between the Government and party.
Rawat said that PCC president should be elected through voting so that most popular people would get an opportunity to serve the party and party would reap its benefit as well.