Uttarakhand: Disgruntled BJP MLA met Amit Shah, party proposes action amidst simmering discontent

The simmering discontent amongst ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in Uttarakhand against its’ own government and particularly against Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawats’ style of functioning has surfaced, with Kunwar Pranav Singh ‘Champion’, party legislator from Khanpur in Haridwar district reportedly meeting the national party chief Amit Shah against the state leadership on February 13.

Kunwar Pranav Singh ‘Champion’ not only criticised the state government, but took a dig at the so-called “zero tolerance” policy of the state government against corruption.

Stung by the open defiance of the party legislator, who had defected from Congress party along with nine other MLAs, the state party leadership has started a probe into the alleged indiscipline indulged in by Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion.

Ajay Bhatt, Uttarakhand BJP chief, said that certain video clips that surfaced on social media are being examined and if Champion was found violating party discipline, action will be taken.

Champion had gone ballistic against the state leadership and accused Uttarakhand Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik, hailing from Haridwar, as being partisan towards him. Reportedly, Champion’s wife, Haridwar Zila panchayat chief, does not see eye to eye with Madan Kaushik. Kunwar Pranav Champion not only met Amit Shah to submit him a list of omissions and commissions of the state government but also posted “Mission Successful” on social media.

Champion’s remarks have created stir in the state BJP. Already a tea party thrown by former Chief Minister and Haridwar party MP Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, which was attended by majority of BJP legislators on February 11, has led to speculation about resentment against Chief Minister Rawat.

BJP had got an unprecedented majority by winning 57 out of total 70 seats in the 2017 state assembly polls. But the delay by the Chief Minister in filing two vacant ministerial posts and distributing other positions to ruling party legislators has reportedly led to dissatisfaction amongst party MLAs. Many senior party legislators have openly staked their claim for ministerial position.

The growing infighting between Chief Minister and senior minister Satpal Maharaj is an open secret in the state. Trivendra Singh Rawat is considered close to BJP chief Amit Shah.