‘Not willing to contest election’: Ex-CM to Nadda
DEHRADUN: Former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Wednesday wrote to BJP national president JP Nadda expressing his unwillingness to contest the February 14 assembly election.
In the letter which went viral on social media, Rawat said he wants to work for ensuring the return of the BJP to power in the 2022 polls. HT has a copy of the two-page letter.
“There has been a leadership change in Uttarakhand with the appointment of young leader Pushkar Singh Dhami as its CM. Hence, under the changed scenario, I think I shouldn’t contest the polls. I had already apprised the senior leadership about it earlier,” Rawat said, thanking the party leadership for giving him the opportunity to serve the state as its chief minister.
“Though, I will always remain the member of BJP. By not contesting the polls, I want to put all my efforts to ensure the return of party to power under the leadership of Dhami. Hence, I request you to accept my decision and allow me to dedicate fully for the above-mentioned cause.”
In the letter, he also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “support and blessings on the people of Uttarakhand” while he was the CM. “I am also grateful to the people of Doiwala constituency who elected me as their representative in 2017 elections and have given me the opportunity to serve them. I will always be indebted to their love and affection,” said Rawat who was the CM for about four years in the present BJP government before being replaced by Tirath Singh Rawat last year.
Rawat’s letter comes on the day the BJP is holding its central parliamentary board meeting in Delhi in presence of senior leaders to decide on the list of candidates for the assembly polls.
Despite several attempts, Rawat couldn’t be contacted for his reaction but his media advisor Darshan Singh Rawat confirmed the authenticity of the letter. “Former CM Rawat doesn’t want to fight the polls as he wants to work for the party as a member only,” he said.
On the possibilities of Rawat wanting to fight from any other seat, Darshan Singh said, “That can never be the case as Doiwala is his stronghold and he has carried out lot of development works there.”