CM visits Pauri Garhwal MP’s ashram

Haridwar, April 13
Congress heavyweights --- Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj and state party chief Yashpal Arya --- have extended full support to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. Since the appointment of Bahuguna as Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Haridwar MP Harish Rawat, who was also in the race for the post, has been creating all sorts of hurdles for the new CM.
On his visit to Haridwar, the constituency of Harish Rawat, yesterday, Bahuguna met Satpal Maharaj at his Prem Nagar ashram and even shared the dais with him at the Rishikul ground, where a three-day annual Sadhbavna Sammelan is under way.
This convention is presided over by Satpal Maharaj and his wife Amrita Rawat, Cabinet minister, where the former delivers religious discourse. But this time Bahuguna was also invited and asked to address the gathering.
This is being seen as an indication of growing closeness between both leaders. Harish Rawat and his supporters were, however, conspicuous by there absence at all four programmes attended by Bahuguna.
Haridwar district Congress chief Chaudhary Rajendra Singh and city party chief OP Chauhan, staunch supporters of Harish Rawat, have been issued notices by the party disciplinary committee for not being present during the CM's visit.
When Yashpal Arya was questioned on this matter, he said he was awaiting the reply of both party office-bearers and would take action on the basis of it only.
He expressed hope that Bahuguna would cater to the aspirations of the people, the party high command and workers. Yashpal Arya has also been invited by Satpal Maharaj at the ongoing convention.
"Everyone should abide by the party high command's decision. All of us are loyal party workers. There are hundreds of leaders who despite being members of the party for over 50 years have not held any berth," said Satpal Maharaj, while referring to Harish Rawat's statement that he had been denied the CM post despite being loyal to the party for more than 40 years.