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Harish Rawat Defies Congress High Command, Tests Uttarakhand Game Plan
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News18•05-10-2026, 11:21
Harish Rawat Defies Congress High Command, Tests Uttarakhand Game Plan
- •Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat is at odds with the Congress leadership ahead of the state's assembly elections, reportedly defying warnings to stop parallel programs.
- •Congress general secretary KC Venugopal summoned Rawat to New Delhi, instructing him to adhere to the party line and rein in political activities.
- •Kumari Selja, Uttarakhand in-charge, wrote to Rawat, stating his ongoing 'yatra' was not discussed with her or the Pradesh Congress Committee president, emphasizing the need for a united front.
- •Despite party objections, Rawat announced the second leg of his 'Dhanyawad evam Jansamvad Yatra' in Udham Singh Nagar, continuing his outreach campaign.
- •Rawat's defiance highlights simmering internal differences within the Uttarakhand Congress at a critical time, with his significant influence making it difficult for the party to sideline him.
Key Questions Answered
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal summoned Harish Rawat to New Delhi after the veteran leader defied leadership warnings by holding parallel programmes and undertaking a yatra across Uttarakhand without consulting state in-charge Kumari Selja or the PCC president.
Harish Rawat denied resigning from the Congress party, clarifying that his membership is in his blood and bones. He only offered to step down from his organisational posts if the ED action involving his aide affected the party's anti-corruption narrative.
The Enforcement Directorate registered a case and conducted searches against Harish Rawat's former aide, Chandan Singh Jeena, in connection with an alleged recruitment racket dating back to 2016.
