Just days after Congress managed to survive a political storm in poll-bound Punjab, the party is apparently heading for turmoil in Uttarakhand, where elections are expected in a few months.
On Wednesday, senior party Harish Rawat alleged sabotage and hinted at a new rebellion on Twitter. Now, he is trending on the social media platform as people suspect Congress' one of the biggest faces will leave before
the crucial elections in early 2022.
"The powers have let loose many crocodiles in the sea(elections) that we must cross. My hands and feet have been shackled by those who I am supposed to follow," said Rawat in his
cryptic tweets which he later refused to elaborate upon.
“I’ve had the impression that Harish Rawat has gone too far, that you have done enough, and that it is time for you to rest,” he added.
But, Why’s Rawat upset?
Rawat's recent tweets, according to Congress leaders in Uttarakhand, was a clear indicator of the strained relationship between him and Devendra Yadav.
If sources close to Mr Rawat and his loyalists are to be believed, the senior leader has been upset with the way things were going in the party. "His opponents were grabbing every opportunity
to let him down and undermine his efforts to return the party to power," said a Rawat confidant on the condition of anonymity.
Harish Rawat's words reflect the reality that things are not good between him and the AICC state in-charge," PCC vice-president Prithvipal Chauhan stated.
"Devender Yadav is running things through a small group of 2-3 leaders. State leaders are being ignored and this is the main problem," said a leader close to Rawat. Rawat's allies claim that he was "unfairly" appointed Punjab in charge despite the fact that the party's top command was aware that Punjab and Uttarakhand were having elections
at the same time.
"He managed Navjot Singh Sidhu to the best of his skills after securing Amarinder Singh's dismissal. He also appointed Charanjit Channi. In his native state, he should have been
given more freedom," said another Rawat supporter.
The party's answer, on the other side, is that Rawat got what he wanted - a major role in the party's Uttarakhand campaign, and his nominee Ganesh Godiyal was appointed as the state
Congress chief.
“While the Congress party is currently dominating in popularity, strained relations between Rawat and Yadav would be detrimental to the party in the 2022 election,” says Prithvipal
Chauhan.
Political reactions
Former Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh who recently launched his own party after a long feud with party leaders took a dig at senior party leader Harish Rawat.
“You reap what you sow! All the best for your future endeavours (if there are any) @harishrawatcmuk ji,” tweeted Captain on December 22.
Notably, Harish Rawat played a major role in securing Captain Amarinder’s removal from the CM’s chair in Punjab, back in September.
Congress MP Manish Tewari speaking out on the Rawat issue said, "FIRST ASSAM. THEN PUNJAB. NOW UTTRAKHAND…..BHOG POORA HI PAUN GAYE, KASAR NA RAHE JAWE KOI."
Meanwhile, netizens who are closely observing the political spectrum ahead of polls, have once again united to mock Congress and its leadership.
Where one user said "#HarishRawat forming his own party UKhandCross mark...Amarinder Singh formed his own party - PunjabCross mark...Meanwhile ...Pappu & Pinky are having a party
Clinking glasses”; another tweeted, “Harish Rawat today says that his party has IGNORED him badly.... 'KARMA SERVED.”
Many users, at the same time, urged Harish Rawat to “leave the Congress before they oust him.”
What next?
Party's senior Uttarakhand leaders have been summoned to Delhi. According to sources, leaders such as Ganesh Godiyal and Devendra Yadav met yesterday and have been summoned to the national
capital again.
Rawat is also expected to leave for Delhi today after paying his respects to Chaudhary Charan Singh at Kisan Ghat in Haridwar.
Moreover, amid the turmoil, a few Rawat loyalists are planning to travel to Delhi today. Surinder Aggarwal, who is Rawat's advisor, said that AICC Uttarakhand in-charge Devender Yadav
is a part of the BJP's plot to prevent Congress from regaining power in 2022.