Deputy CM‘s post sought for Harak Singh Rawat

Haridwar, April 6
With a lone Cabinet portfolio being vacant in the Vijay Bahuguna-led Congress state government, the demand for creating the post of Deputy Chief Minister by the anti-Bahuguna faction seems to be getting intensified.

In Haridwar, pro-Rudraprayag legislator Harak Singh Rawat supporters have now started a routine agitation to press for their leader to be appointed as the Deputy CM.

Terming themselves as the loyal Congress activists, these supporters say that in view of the interests of the state as well as the party, it is imminent to have a Deputy CM post which will ensure smooth working of the state government.

Addressing these activists after a march, senior Congress leader Sanjay Chopra pointed out that Rawat deserved the honour owing to his political experience and mass popularity among people.

“Rawat became Cabinet Minister 20 years ago in the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, served in various capacities in the Assembly, became leader of the Opposition during the last Assembly and won the most awaited contest from the Rudraprayag Assembly seat despite hailing from other district (Pauri),” said Chopra.

Another pro-Rawat leader Bhoopendra Rajput said its time that he be made the Deputy CM as Vijay Bahuguna would also get major relief by this.

Harish Rawat loyalist, city Congress chief OP Chauhan, though added that by not creating the Deputy CM post, the state government was only inviting more factionalism. He said the party high command should consider this aspect as with leaders like Harish Rawat and Harak Singh Rawat at the helm of affairs along with Vijay Bahuguna, the government would be able to provide development and sail through the stipulated five year tenure.

This open demand of making Harak Singh Rawat the Deputy CM has, however, not gone down well with some veteran party leaders and those close to Bahuguna. Many of them have even written to the party high command to not bow down to this demand again as it seems the anti-Vijay Bahuguna faction is not concerned with the party discipline.

PCC member Braham Swaroop Brahamchari commented that the party discipline was foremost as personal interests should never come before ones duty.