Fresh crisis brewing in Uttarakhand Congress

It’s a new crisis brewing in the Congress unit of Uttarakhand. Just three months after the crucial trust vote, two PDF MLAs are here to meet Congress general secretary in-charge Ambika Soni. Sources say their “grief” is against state Congress chief Kishor Upadhyay, who is allegedly “discrediting the state government”.

The elections to the Uttarakhand Assembly are slated early 2017. And, a lot of churning is happening in the party, said sources, adding that chief minister Harish Rawat wants to give tickets only to his loyalists, though the state Congress unit is of the view that old-timers should not be ignored. Sensing the winds, add sources, about 12 sitting Congress MLAs are in touch with the BJP and may shift allegiance if they get assurance on ticket.

Harish Rawat-led Congress government in Uttarakhand enjoys a wafer-thin majority in the Assembly.

Of total 61 seats, the Congress has 26 and PDF has 6 — the alliance put together crosses the halfway mark. If two MLAs backout, the Congress could be in trouble as it would open the gate for dissidents in the state.

Something the Congress could do well without as its government could turn into a minority government.

The PDF members are demanding that the upcoming elections should be fought in alliance on condition that the Congress will not field candidates against them. This is something the state Congress unit is unhappy with. Mr Upadhyay said, "The high command should address the ticket issue soon. We have told the party workers not to comment about the PDF."

The problem started brewing in June when Rajya Sabha nominations were being filed.

Sources say that during the political crisis in the state, Mr Rawat promised Mr Upadhyay the nomination. But Mr Rawat promoted his loyalist Pradeep Tamta for the nomination.

"Now it’s a battle between the organisation and the government," add sources.