UKD on the verge of split again as bonhomie ebbs

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 7

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) seems to be heading for another split barely a month after its two factions publicly announced unity in the party.

Credited with spearheading the separate state agitation, the UKD could not capitalise on the sentiments of the public that was with them during the days of the formation of a separate state of Uttarakhand. Infighting and “personal ambitions” of leaders has put the party on the verge of extinction.

A couple of years after the formation of the state, the party split into two groups, one headed by Trivendra Singh Panwar and the other by Kashi Singh Airy. Two other smaller groups emerged in the party, one headed by Diwakar Bhatt and another by AP Juyal.

Splits greatly eroded the UKD’s credibility and the party that had four MLAs in the first Assembly elections of the state has now just one MLA Pritam Panwar in the current Assembly.

Understanding the need of the hour, the two major groups—-UKD (Panwar) and UKD (Airy)—recently joined hands to put a formidable challenge to the Congress and the BJP.

Bhatt and Juyal, too, decided to be part of unity efforts. The decision raised hopes for better performance of a united UKD in the 2017 Assembly elections. However, the recent bonhomie between Airy and Panwar looks to be temporary. Both of them are still to share a common platform even after the two announced unity in the party. Panwar has already started accusing Airy of taking unilateral decisions and working in an autocratic manner. Panwar has also questioned Airy being part of the Chief Minister’s high-level advisory group.

All eyes are now set on Airy’s proposed convention on May 16-17. Panwar has sought the cancellation of the convention saying all pending issues must be sorted out before any party convention is convened. Panwar said cases that were result of a fight between the two earlier groups, UKD (Airy) and UKD (Panwar), must first be sorted out. Panwar also accused Airy of being soft on the Congress. Interestingly, Airy has maintained a studied silence over the issue and is still to come out with any reaction. He has all through maintained that he was for a united UKD.

However, political analysts say the root cause behind the annihilation of the UKD has been infighting and another split in the party, particularly after the recent public announcement of unity, will inflict deadly blow to the party, that is solely credited with the formation of Uttarakhand.