CM’s daughter may contest from Haridwar rural segment

Sandeep Rawat

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, October 13

Speculations are rife that Anupama Rawat, daughter of Chief Minister Harish Rawat (who is also the national secretary of Women Congress), will be contesting the Assembly elections. She has been active in the Haridwar rural segment for the past few months.

At the behest of Anupama Rawat, a district-level Women Congress convention is being organised in Haridwar at the Jeopata village, which also falls in the Haridwar rural Assembly segment, on October 16. Besides, Anupama Rawat is also accompanying her father during his visit to Haridwar district, but is mostly confined to the Haridwar rural segment only. This gives indication of her willingness.

Speaking to TNS on the sidelines of a review meeting of the state and district women leaders here yesterday, Anupama Rawat, though tried to distance herself from her future election plans, saying she was just trying to take forward the development works being carried by her father and also trying to strengthen the Women Congress state unit.

“I have been bestowed by the party high command the responsibility of the Women Congress as its national secretary, so strengthening it in the entire country is my duty. The party leaders need to give adequate time to the women wing as it plays pivotal role during the elections. The women leaders also need to be given fair share of ticket in the Assembly and the general elections,” voiced Anupama, whose name was also doing the rounds for contesting the election from Haridwar district in the Assembly elections in 2012.

Past fortnight, Anupama was actively seen with Harish Rawat at various inaugural and foundation stone-laying projects in the Haridwar rural segments.

On prospects of Anupama Rawat contesting elections from the Haridwar district, the former women state commission and vice -president Congress state unit, Dr Santosh Chauhan said it would be vital for the development of the district if Anupama contested from Haridwar, as she had a development-oriented vision, direct connect with the grassroots workers and the public. Besides, her contesting from Haridwar would definitely add to the party’s electoral prospects not only in Haridwar district but the entire state.

Recently, Lal Dhang was elevated as sub Tehsil, which forms major part of the rural segment and crores of rupees projects were anounced and sanctioned by Harish Rawat.

Though, BJP leader Swami Yatishwarannad, who at present represents the rural segment, doesn’t see much in Anupama contesting the elections. Swami Yatishwaranand said he had carried out development work in this tenure, spending maximum time in his segment and had good rapport with the public. He said the voters know that a parachute candidate, that too a daughter of the Chief Minister will surely draw media attention, but for the next five years only he (Swami Yatishwaranand) will be available round-the-clock for the voters of the rural segment.

Notably, Swami Yatishwaranand had in the last Assembly election defeated Congress candidate Irshad Ali, who recently was made a Cabinet Minister in the capacity of chairperson of the Weaver Welfare State Council.