In the run-up to the January 30 Assembly polls in Uttarakhand, the election scenario has taken a new turn with the re-entry of former chief minister N D Tiwari and the indisposition of chief minister B C Khanduri.
After remaining in hibernation for a couple of years in the wake of the Andhra Pradesh Raj Bhavan sex scandal, Tiwari on Thursday came out openly in support of his nephew Manish Tiwari in what is being seen as a boost to Congress campaign in Kumaon region which is considered to his political freedom. Tiwari was present at Gadarparpur when his nephew filed nomination papers as thousands of supports cheered.
Interestingly, Tiwari was instrumental in getting ticket for Manish along with his OSD Aryendra Sharam despite opposition by a section of Congress leaders.
Tiwari had remained mostly indoors during the 2007 Assembly elections which in turn had led to the defeat of Congress at the hustings in the hill state.
Soon after the Raj bhavan sex scandal following which he was forced to quit the gubernatorial post, Tiwari had kept a distance from politics as well as Congress party. He had occasionally appeared in some public functions of the ruling BJP.
When contacted, Surendra Kumar, a state Congress spokesman acknowledged the achievements of Tiwari saying he had always been a pillar of strength for the party. “Tiwari has always given us political guidance,” said Kumar.
Meanwhile, BJP’s campaign hit a snag after Khanduri remained bed-ridden during the past two days. Amid heavy snowfall, Khanduri had trekked nearly 7 kms on Monday in Pauri town where he had gone to file his nomination papers from Kotdwar seat. Thereafter, he remained confined to his home only. “After a rebellion by nearly two dozen party leaders, the health of our chief minister has become a big worry,” said a top BJP leader.
Nearly 12 BJP MLAs including two ministers, who were denied tickets this time, are now playing spoilsport for the saffron party at the hustings. Most of them have filed their nomination papers as independent candidates or as nominees of some regional parties.
Though some Congress leaders have also revolted but the rebellion is not considered to be so severe as compared to the BJP’s.
