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Uttarakhand: Expelled from BJP, Harak Singh Rawat set to return to Congress?

He was among 10 MLAs who rebelled against Harish Rawat in 2016

harak singh rawat Harak Singh Rawat | Via Facebook

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday informed the state governor that Harak Singh Rawat had been dismissed from the cabinet. The BJP announced Harak Singh Rawat had been expelled from primary membership of the party for six years. BJP spokesperson Shadab Shams told PTI that the expulsion of Harak Singh Rawat sent a strong message that the BJP was a party that does not tolerate indiscipline and does not bow to pressure of any kind.

Harak Singh Rawat, who was forest minister and MLA for Kotdwar, was reported to be unhappy with the BJP leadership. He was said to be seeking a ticket for his daughter-in-law, Anukriti Gusain, from the Lansdowne constituency for the coming election and a change of seat for himself. BJP leaders claimed Harak Singh Rawat had been in touch with the Congress.

According to reports, Harak Singh Rawat could join the Congress by midday on Monday in the presence of former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat. There are also reports at least two BJP MLAs could join the opposition party with him.

Interestingly, Harak Singh Rawat was among 10 Congress MLAs who rebelled against Harish Rawat, during the latter's tenure as chief minister, in 2016 and switched to the BJP.

ANI reported that Harish Rawat was opposed to the return of Harak Singh Rawat. When he was asked recently about reports that Harak could return to the Congress, Harish Rawat had said “There is no issue if Harak openly admits his mistake and say he did a wrong thing with the party and Uttarakhand... then the doors are open.”

Last month, Harak Singh Rawat had threatened to resign over delays in the government approving his demand for a medical college in Kotdwar.

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