Ganga programme caught between two rival BJP heavyweights

DEHRADUN: The Ganga, which is central to Uttarakhand’s identity, is caught in the quagmire of politics.

Headed by Cabinet minister Sat pal Ma ha raj, the cultural ministry plans to dissolve the Sparsh Gang a Board that was formed by former BJP chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

The move, officials said, is aimed at strengthening Prime Minister Modi’s ambitious programme Namami Gange, which is engaged in similar work like that of the Spar sh Gang a .“Holding awareness programmes separately doesn’t make sense ,” culture department director Been a B hat ts aid confirming the plan of her department.

B JP sources said N is hank and Sat pal-both front runners for the chief minister’s chair before being upstaged by Trivendra Singh Rawat - are leaving no chance to make their presence felt in Delhi circles.

The timing of the plan raises many questions, especially when there is a chance of reshuffle in the Union Cabinet after Venkaiah Naidu’s election as vice president. The department’s decision has baffled N is hank. The Haridwar MP said the govern- ment must have considered a ‘reasonable ground’ to dissolve the board, and held the previous Congress government responsible for this situation.

“My idea behind the Sparsh Ganga was to sensitise people about cleaning the Ganga. Nishank had launched the Sparsh Ganga when he was the chief minister in 2009.The Congress said it has nothing to do with the Ganga politics.