Ex-Kotdwar MLA Shailender Rawat quits BJP

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 19

Shailender Singh Rawat, former BJP legislator from Kotdwar, today resigned from the membership of the BJP in protest against the denial of the party ticket. The BJP has nominated Harak Singh Rawat from the Kotdwar seat for the Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, Vijaya Barthwal, sitting BJP MLA from Yamkeshwar, today said her faith in former Chief Minister BC Khanduri had been shattered as he had kept her in the dark about his willingness to get the ticket for his daughter Ritu Khanduri from Yamkeshwar.

“It was a big shock for me as Khanduri kept assuring me that I am being considered for the ticket and will be renominated from Yamkeshwar. He did not discuss his daughter’s chances with me nor she met me. Ritu once visited my house in Dehradun in my absence,” said Vijaya while speaking with mediapersons here today.

Asked about her next step, Vijaya said she has several options and could decide to contest the elections as an Independent candidate or on the Congress ticket. She added there was no difference between the BJP and the Congress. “There are no principles or ideology left in the BJP,” she said, while commenting on the party’s decision to give ticket to the Congress rebels.

When pointed out that party president Ajay Bhatt had said he had no role in ticket allocation and his views had not been solicited, she said. “If the party does not take him into confidence on ticket allocation, there is no need for him to continue as party president. He should tender his resignation”.