Majority of Congress candidates shirking responsibility to contest despite High Command urging them to contest in Uttarakhand
As the dates of the declaration of general elections are coming near, the national and regional political parties have intensified their efforts to chalk out strategies for fighting the elections and subsequent declaration of their candidates. While the BJP has already declared its first list of 195 candidates , the Congress party could only declare its 39 candidates. The significant partner of Indian National Inclusive Developmental Alliance AITMC’s supremo and West Bengal CM Mamata Bannerjee too has released her list of 42 candidates unilaterally not taking Congress and CPM into confidence, annoying both of them.
Meanwhile, while the important Central Election Committee meeting to decide Uttarakhand Congress candidates was held yesterday at 24 Akbar Road in which senior leaders like Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, K.C.Venugopal , Kumari Shelja and important leaders of Uttarakhand Congress participated but despite threadbare consultations and eliciting the views of the prospective candidates, majority of them shirked responsibilities to contest happening for the very first time in the history of Uttarakhand Congress perhaps.
According to sources former chief minister Harish Rawat who has been categorically asked to contest from Haridwar seat , has given health reasons and politely refused to contest asking the ticket for his son who had been the Youth Congress chief of Uttarakhand in the past. His daughter is already the lawmaker from Haridwar, Rural seat.
Similarly , the former cabinet minister of Uttarakhand and leader of the opposition Yashpal Arya who was asked to contest from Almora against the two term MP and BJP candidate and former union state minister Ajay Tamata has shirked responsibility asking for ticket from Nainital or wanting to campaign for Congress candidates in Uttarakhand extensively to ensure their victory.
From Tehri Garhwal constituency the former leader of opposition and eight times MLA from Chakrauta who had contested last time from Tehri Garhwal obviously on Congress ticket and lost, has also expressed his inability to contest despite repeated requests. This is surprising as this time the candidature of Maharani Rajya Lakshmi is considered to be very weak and chances of Pritam Singh victory are paramount.
The only candidate who’s name is believed to have been almost finalised Ganesh Godiyal, a former MLA from Srinagar, Garhwal seat and former state chief who was earlier reluctant now seems to be little interested. However, till the ticket is not officially declared nothing is certain. The other claimants from this seat are Colonel Negi, Dr.Prem Bahukhandi, chief of the Mahila Congress Ukhand Jyoti Rautela n Dhirendra Pratap.
However, the BJP has also not declared its candidate from Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar seats till yet.
There was a time when Congress candidates used to desperately clamour for tickets in Uttarakhand and Delhi and today unfortunately those getting tickets sitting at homes are rejecting the offers.
This trend in a way gives credence to the saffron party that their candidates are strong and posses good chances to win for the third consecutive term with no anti incumbency in sight.
According to sources the reason behind the Congress leaders shirking their responsibilities to contest is the total alleged saffronisation or polarisation of majority community in Uttarakhand , particularly after the so called passing of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand assembly, construction and consecration of Ram temple, free distribution of ration, Modi charisma still prevailing, lack of party fund and party workers allegedly completely demoralised due to internal bickerings in state Congress.
It may be recalled that the Bharatiya Janata Party has already declared its three candidates repeating the sitting MPs on three seats viz.Tehri Garhwal , Nainital and Almora .
The candidates of Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar have been kept in abeyance for the time being from where former Uttarakhand CMs are sitting MPs viz. Tirath Singh Rawat and Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. The names of Anil Baluni, former RS MP and national media in-charge of BJP and former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat are doing rounds in media circles and political corridors of Uttarakhand and Delhi.
Political analysts say that there was a no point for r the Congress in Uttarakhand to be apprehensive as there are no dearth of burning issues in the Himalayan states that go against the ruling political dispensation. The first and foremost issue is about anti incumbency as the BJP has won for twice in MP elections and they s is the BJP’s second term in the state. It’s a well known fact that usually anti incumbency occurs after ten years and this factor can be encashed by the Congress party provided they are united and give up their narrow consideration coming solidly together against the ruling party. The most shocking Ankita Bhandari casein which the BJP politician’s son was involved and trapped, massive cheating UKSSSC scam with BJP activists involved , the riots at Lal Quan Haldwani, the massive exodus to plains, the pitiable condition of hospitals in Uttarakhand, the deteriorating health sector, massive number of accidents taking place with tremendous casualties and man-eater brutal killing of its inhabitants off n on are some of the pivotal issues apart from inflation that can be encashed by opposition Congress to ensure the defeat of the two term MPs of the saffron party. But will this really happen is anyone’s guess .
