Dehradun: Dr. V.K. Bahuguna, former IFS officer, ex-Director General of Environment and former chief of environmental affairs in Tripura, who was appointed as the President of Uttarakhand Samanta Party after his retirement, has resigned from the post. In his resignation letter dated 8 July 2026, addressed to the party workers and members, he said he was stepping down after “deep thought and self-assessment.”
Dr. Bahuguna said he had accepted the responsibility of leading the party in January 2023 with the objective of raising public awareness and building a credible public voice for Uttarakhand. During his tenure, he stated that the party succeeded in bringing several important issues to public and political discussion. These included opposition to the proposed delimitation, demand for an ecological and geological based delimitation, action against illegal religious and other structures on government land in border areas, and concerns over the growing threat of the land mafia and criminal elements from outside the state.
However, he expressed disappointment over the party’s failure to translate these achievements into a strong grassroots organization. “Despite these achievements, the party has failed to become an active organization at the ground level,” he wrote. He said that most office bearers and workers neither came forward to strengthen the party nor took responsibility for implementing its programs. According to him, many of those who joined had promised that the party had a dedicated cadre, but most of them remained distant. He added that a large number of office bearers and members are retired government officials who are unable to devote time and energy, and due to lack of funds the party is also unable to attract committed youth.
Citing an example, he mentioned that for the key issue of delimitation, public meetings planned in Kashipur and Kotdwar could not be held. He said he repeatedly urged party functionaries and workers to participate but the responsibility for organizing the events was left to two or three people. “No political organization can grow like this and it is not right either,” he stated.
Dr. Bahuguna further said his attachment to Uttarakhand and its people remains unchanged. Referring to his past service, he recalled working for the state’s development as Inspector General of Forests and as Vice Chairman of the River and Silting Commission, and facilitating central approvals for projects like the rejuvenation of the Song and Suswa rivers and financial assistance for disaster management. He said he will now contribute more effectively by staying outside the current political framework through his Anusandhan, Unnayan and Udgam Center for Resource Management and Environmental Studies. Through this platform he will continue to work on environment protection, balanced development, good governance, cultural and geographical integrity of Uttarakhand, and on raising people’s genuine concerns and demands before the authorities.
He also reiterated his commitment to work for protecting the identity and institutions of Uttarakhand and for ensuring justice and equitable development for its people. Expressing gratitude to all supporters and well-wishers, he expressed hope that the party will introspect, strengthen its organization and uphold the ideals for which it was formed.
