Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today expressed gratitude to senior Uttarkhand Kranti Dal leader Kashi Singh Airi for supporting his candidature from Dharchula Assembly seat where a bypoll is being held on July 21.
Airi is a senior leader of UKD, which had spearheaded the movement of statehood for Uttarkhand, and his support will strengthen Rawat's position on the seat.
Rawat is seeking his mandatory entry into the state Assembly as an MLA within six months of being sworn in as CM on February one.
Harish Dhami of congress had resigned from Dharchula to pave way for the CM to contest from that seat to become the member of the Assembly.
"At a time when I face all sorts of political and physical challenges, direct and indirect support from different political leaders including Airi and others has strengthened our government's resolve to work in accordance with the aspirations of those who fought for statehood for Uttarakhand," Rawat said in an emotional message from AIIMS in Delhi where he is being treated for a neck injury.
"Stability of the government will add a new dimension to the development of the state," Rawat's media in-charge Surendra Kumar quoted the chief minister as saying in his message.
Thanking Airi for his support despite his party's affiliations, the chief minister said the senior UKD leader has gone beyond the limitations imposed by his outfit in the state's interest and termed it as a "rare gift to him in his political career".
"I want to assure all those who have supported me including Airi that I would spare no effort to ensure the development of Devbhoomi, especially its hills and border areas. Rising to the expectations of people who fought for statehood is our priority.
"We will together grapple with the challenges ahead of us," Rawat said.
