Harak was putting pressure for ticket to kin: Uttarakhand CM

Tribune News Service

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, January 17

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the BJP expelled Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat as he was “mounting pressure” for ticket to family members for the upcoming elections.

“The BJP tried to take him along despite the fact that he caused considerable issues but when he began mounting pressure for a ticket for himself as well as family members, the party had to take a decision,” Dhami said, adding that the BJP is against “dynasty politics and follows the path of development and nationalism”.

“His expulsion shows that the BJP does not tolerate indiscipline or bow down to pressure of any kind,” party leaders said. Senior leaders quoted the case of Utpal Parrikar, son of late leader Manohar Parrikar, who has been seeking the BJP ticket from Panaji which his father represented for several years.

“The BJP is clear...no one is bigger than the party,” they said Harak Singh is believed to have been seeking at least “three” tickets. Dhami said: “We have decided not to give ticket to more than one person from a family.”

Meanwhile, Harak Singh accused the BJP of removing him without speaking to him. Predicting Congress victory, Harak Singh said: “They (BJP) did not talk to me once before taking such a big decision.”

He’s welcome to join cong: Harish Rawat

Congress’ campaign chairman for Uttarakhand Harish Rawat on Monday set a condition for welcoming expelled BJP minister Harak Singh Rawat into the grand old party fold. “I don’t want to say much on this issue. The matter of inducting Harak Singh into the party is yet to be debated. I will say we will welcome Harak Singh into the Congress if he regrets his decision of quitting the party,” said Harish Rawat. tns

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