Harish Rawat Slams MLA Umesh Kumar Over 2016 Govt Fall
Former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat lashes out at independent MLA Umesh Kumar, calling him the reason for Congress's political exile in the state.
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has launched a scathing attack on independent MLA Umesh Kumar, accusing him of being the primary reason behind the Congress party's decade-long political exile from the state. In a sharp critique shared on social media, Rawat claimed that the very individual responsible for toppling the Congress government in 2016 is now being portrayed as a "hero" by certain elements within the party.
The 2016 Betrayal and the Rise of a 'Hero'
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Rawat directed his ire at the Khanpur MLA without explicitly naming him in every sentence, though the context pointed directly at Umesh Kumar. Rawat alleged that a specific group of "new brand" Congress members in Haridwar and surrounding areas are actively glorifying the man who acted as the instrument for the government's collapse.
"The person who became the medium/instrument to topple the government now appears venerable, because there is immense wealth, and a large portion of that wealth was acquired after toppling our government in 2016," Rawat wrote, suggesting a link between the political instability of that era and the subsequent accumulation of riches.
The former Chief Minister expressed deep anguish over the shifting perceptions within the party. He noted that while those who struggled and risked everything to save the government are now viewed as "villains," the person who caused the Congress to lose power in Uttarakhand for ten years is being celebrated.
Deepening Rifts and Political Turmoil
The friction between Rawat and Umesh Kumar is not a new development. Their rivalry traces back to the controversial 2016 sting operation. At that time, Kumar was working as a journalist, whereas he currently serves as an independent MLA representing the Khanpur constituency in Haridwar.
The internal unrest within the Uttarakhand Congress appears to have intensified following Rawat’s recent ‘Dhanyawad Evam Jansamvad Yatra’. This political turbulence comes at a sensitive time, as Rawat has also signaled his intention to contest the upcoming elections from the Khanpur constituency, setting the stage for a direct confrontation.
Rawat Heads to Delhi for High Command Meeting
As the internal dispute grows, Rawat has altered his travel plans to seek intervention from the party leadership. After meeting with workers in Kichha, Udham Singh Nagar, Rawat is scheduled to travel to Delhi to present his case to the Congress high command.
Key meetings are expected to take place during his visit, including discussions with:
- K.C. Venugopal: Congress General Secretary (Organisation)
- Kumari Selja: Uttarakhand In-charge
With the state in-charge raising objections and internal controversies mounting, the political landscape in Uttarakhand remains highly volatile, with all eyes on how the Congress leadership will navigate the rift between its veteran leader and the independent MLA.