Former Uttarakhand forest minister Harak Singh Rawat announced on Monday he would work for the Congress. Harak Singh Rawat was expelled from the BJP and removed from the cabinet on Sunday.
There had been speculation Harak Singh Rawat, who left the Congress to join the BJP in 2016, would return to the grand old party.
Harak Singh Rawat told ANI, “Congress party will form government in Uttarakhand. I will work for Congress party.” Reports claim Harak could join the Congress by noon on Monday.
He alleged that he learnt of his expulsion from the BJP on social media. “Union Minister Pralhad Joshi called me to meet in Delhi; due to traffic, there was a bit of delay. I wanted to meet him and Home Minister Amit Shah, but as soon as I reached Delhi, I saw on social media that they (BJP) expelled me.”
also read
- Baba Tarsem Singh murder: Key accused Amarjit Singh killed in police encounter
- Should Uttarakhand worry about influx of climate migrants from Delhi?
- Uttarakhand UCC: VHP expects other states to follow provisions on live-in relationships, and more
- Haldwani violence: Mastermind Abdul Malik arrested from Delhi
He claimed the BJP did not talk to him even “once” before deciding to expel him. “I don't have much interest in being a minister, I just wanted to work,” Harak Singh Rawat said.
The BJP has defended the decision to expel Harak Singh Rawat. “Harak Singh Rawat was putting pressure on the party (seeking party tickets) for his family members but we have a different policy: Only one member of a family will be given a party ticket for elections,” Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told ANI.
