Harish Rawat vows to go ahead with 'Dhanyawad Yatra' despite warning from Congress High-Command
Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat refuses to cancel his Dhanyawad Yatra despite a stern warning from the Congress High Command.
The internal rift within the Uttarakhand Congress has reached a boiling point as former Chief Minister Harish Rawat has vowed to proceed with his controversial 'Dhanyawad Yatra' despite a direct warning from the party leadership.
Defiance Against the High Command
The political tension escalated when the Congress High Command issued a strongly worded letter objecting to Rawat’s public outreach programme. The party leadership expressed concerns that the Dhanyawad evam Jansamvad Yatra is being organised as a "personal" initiative outside the official party structure. Uttarakhand Congress in-charge Kumari Selja has formally advised the veteran leader, affectionately known as "Harda" in the hills, to call off the march.
However, Rawat appears undeterred. Moving from Jaspur towards Haldwani in the Kumaon region, the former CM has used social media to signal his refusal to back down, framing his mission as a fight for the dignity of the state.
"No Stopping Now": Rawat's Rallying Cry
In a series of defiant posts on social media, Rawat addressed his supporters, framing the yatra as a necessary movement to revive the party and protect the interests of Uttarakhand. "Comrades, the challenge is great. But for the pride of Uttarakhand, our resolve is also firm!" he posted. "In this phase of the ‘Dhanyawad evam Jansamvad Yatra’, there is no stopping now."
Rawat further justified his solo campaign by highlighting the socio-economic crises currently facing the state, including:
- A surging epidemic of addiction across the region.
- Skyrocketing unemployment rates.
- A rise in social intolerance and crime.
- Increasing incidents of atrocities against women.
A Growing Divide in the Congress Fold
The confrontation highlights a deep-seated factionalism within the state unit. Rawat, who has been excluded from the party’s election team nearly a year ahead of the upcoming polls, is increasingly organising programmes parallel to the official party schedule. This move has reportedly caused significant displeasure among the central leadership in Delhi.
While other factions within the Uttarakhand Congress view Rawat’s independent political maneuvers as a setback to election preparations, his loyalists argue that the outreach is essential for the larger interest of the Congress party. The standoff marks a significant moment of public discord that could shape the party's unity heading into the next electoral battle.