When it became clear by Tuesday afternoon that the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is on his way out after a four-year stint at the helm of things in the Himalayan state a sombre atmosphere gripped the sprawling official residence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister. After days of hectic discussions in Delhi, the CM returned to the state on Tuesday morning amid a general feeling that he has successfully warded off the biggest challenge to his leadership.
However it soon became clear that the central leadership of the BJP has decided to bow down to the demand of the dissenters and it has asked Rawat to step down. As the word spread Rawat’s supporters started arriving at the official residence of the CM. They included MLAs, mayors, office bearers of the party, the position holders, professionals and party workers. Around noon, the officials informed that the CM has sought time from the governor Baby Rani Maurya for a meeting.
It was then stated that an official helicopter was being sent to fetch state minister Dhan Singh Rawat from Srinagar. In the absence of CM, Dhan Singh Rawat had participated in the state level programme organised at Gairsain on Monday on the occasion of International Women’s Day. He was on his way back to Dehradun and had reached Srinagar. This gave rise to speculation that Dhan Singh Rawat had overtaken his seniors like Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, cabinet minister Satpal Maharaj and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni to the post in the race for the coveted post with the support of party organisation, RSS and outgoing CM Trivendra Singh Rawat. At 1.45 PM, the Vikasnagar MLA and a staunch supporter of the outgoing CM, Munna Singh Chauhan came out of the residence of CM and informed the media that the CM would address a Press conference at 3 PM. He stoically refused to divulge anything on the expected resignation of the CM and the name of his successor. At 2 PM Dhan Singh Rawat arrived and met the CM at his residence.
The state president of BJP, Banshidhar Bhagat and senior cabinet minister Madan Kaushik also remained huddled with the CM. The time of the CM’s press conference which was scheduled at 3 PM was postponed to 4.30 PM. There was a buzz at 4.10 PM as the CM accompanied by Bhagat left for Raj Bhawan where he tendered the resignation of his government. From the governor’s house, the CM accompanied by Bhagat and Dhan Singh Rawat came out before the media where he made a formal announcement about his resignation.
Wednesday, 10 March 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
