Saturday, 02 NOVEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Congress party candidate for Kedarnath Assembly by-election Manoj Rawat started his election campaign on Friday by offering prayers at Kedarnath Dham. The former MLA met the Teerth Purohits and local shopkeepers in Kedarnath. Rawat said that he has sought peace and prosperity for the people of Kedarnath and State from Baba Kedarnath. He said that it is a matter of great concern that despite large scale construction there is no place for the poor pilgrims to stay in Kedarnath.
Rawat said that it is good that the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid obeisance at Kedarnath dham on the day. He however questioned the CM for his claim that the Yatra this year was better managed. He said that the owners of horses and mules engaged in the Yatra and others are complaining that this year they failed to earn money in Yatra. “This year the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee has incurred a loss of Rs 20 crore in Yatra. If BKTC is in loss this year, then one can understand the situation of local businessmen and others dependent on the Yatra. The locals are not in the position to pay the installment of their bank loan this year,’’ he said.
The former MLA met people at Gaurikund, Sonprayag and Kongarh. He accused the BJP government for ruining the Yatra this year and said that the people of the area are determined to teach BJP a lesson in the ensuing by-election. Rawat said that he is contesting the election to protect the prestige of Kedarnath and the pride of people of the area.
