Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna is in dilemma nowadays as he is facing volleys of criticism from his own MLAs. After Dhami, the latest to join bandwagon are Mayukh Mahar (MLA, Pithoragarh), Manoj Tiwari (MLA, Almora), Lalit Farswan (MLA, Kapkot) and Hemesh Kharkwal (MLA, Champawat).
Hemesh Kharkwal, party MLA from Champawath said over phone that Bahuguna should personally hear the local problems of each MLAs before budget session or legislative assembly session and keep it on their agenda.
‘Negligence of certain areas should be discouraged. We have no indifference with any senior leader. Only by mutual cooperation, we can solve the problems’, he said.
Manoj Tiwari also complained of lack of development in his constituency. Similar tone was heard in the voice of Lait Farswan. When contacted on phone on Thursday night, MLA Dhami said in a remorse tone, ‘From the last one and half years, I am constantly reminding CM the various problems related to my constituency. But still no development work has started in my constituency. How I face the people of my constituency? Being a member of that biggest party which is ruling at state and national level, I presumed that my voice will be heard on priority basis. If still no development starts in my constituency, I will resign from Vidhan Sabha constituency, and, in future, I will contest elections as an independent candidate.’
Reacting to his statement, senior BJP leader and former Speaker of Uttarakhand legislative assembly Harbans Kapoor said, ‘Dhami may pent-up his hidden emotions by pointing out the halted development work in his constituency. But it’s true that the CM spends most of his time outside his home state, and pays little attention to the welfare of hilly people.’ MLA Kapoor added that ‘There is no visible development work in the tenure of Bahuguna as CM. Moreover, people are over-burdened with high prices, inflation and corruption in the state.’
The throne of CM is not a bed of roses for Vijay Bahuguna. Few days back, Vidhan Sabha speaker Goving Singh Kunjwal’s statement on rampant corruption in the state catches the attention of local print and electronic media alike. Internal strife, anti-party statement by Congress leaders and lack of unity has put tremendous pressure on the shoulders of CM. MLAs close to union minister Harish Rawat camp can change the political scenario of the state, according to party insiders.
Reacting to these mass complains of Congress MLAs, former CM of Uttarakhand and Rajya Sabha MP Bagat Singh Koshyari said, ‘All these are geedhat babkis of Congress MLAs. They have not the courage to resign and leave the lucrative posts.’