Uttarakhand: CM’s remarks on inclusion of Saharanpur in the state stir up hornet’s nest

The statement by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat that he was in favour of inclusion of Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh into Uttarakhand has put the ruling party in an akward situation at a time when passions in the hill state have been running high to make Gairsain in Chamoli district as the permanent capital of the state. His statement has created a political flutter with opposition Congress criticising him while the leaders of his own ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were apparently displeased.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, while speaking at a religious function at Saharanpur on Tuesday, said that he was in favour of inclusion of adjoining Saharanpur district into the new state of Uttarakhand at the time of it’s formation and is still in favour of this inclusion, since the district shares social and commercial interests of Uttarakhand

Interestingly, the statement by Chief Minister at a public function came after Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat made a similar demand regarding inclusion of some villages in Bijnore district of Uttar Pradesh adjoining Kotdwar into Uttarakhand.

These statements have created a stir with a large number of people on social media and political parties coming down heavily on the ruling party. Faced with unprecedented furoure, Uttarakhand BJP Chief Ajay Bhatt had to come out with a statement that there was no truth in these statements and the statement by the chief minister was ‘distorted’ by the media.

Uttarakhand Congress Chief Pritam Singh demanded that the BJP should come out with it’s stand on the issue while former Chief Minister Harish Rawat alleged that such statements are floated to divert the attention of the general public from the complete failure of the BJP government both in the centre and the state.

Uttarakhand Congress Vice-President Suryakant Dhasamana said that for past one year there are rumors that the RSS wants to redraw the boundaries of western Uttar Pradesh by including some areas in Uttarakhand and some in Haryana. “The Uttarakhand CM who himself is RSS parcharak should clarify his stand on the issue,” he said. Sushila Balooni, a veteran statehood campaigner and BJP leader said that such talk of inclusion of Uttar Pradesh areas was against the very idea of a hill state. “The BJP has failed to manage the hill state with unemployment, lack of health and educational facilities and growing migration plaguing the hilly areas. On what grounds can they make such a statement,” asked Indresh Maikhuri, a senior CPI (ML) leader from Karanprayag.

The residents of Saharanpur district had demanded inclusion of the district in Uttarakhand at the time of formation of the new state in 2000 but the demand was rejected by the then BJP committee comprising senior party leaders Kalraj Mishra and Rajnath Singh.

On the other hand, the agitation to make Gairsain as the permanent capital of the state has been gaining ground. The youngsters across the state, particularly in the hills are taking out demonstrations and candle light marches demanding that Gairsain in Chamoli district be made the permanent capital. Dehradun is the temporary capital of Uttarakhand. “The BJP and RSS have been trying to derail the Gairsain agitation by resorting to such frivolous talks,” alleged Indresh Maikhuri.