Is this the end of regional politics in Uttarakhand?

DEHRADUN: The only recognised regional party of Uttarakhand - Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) -- is no more longer a recognised party. Once regarded as power house in the Himalayan state - the party is slowly dying in the political arena.

From three MLA’s in the state assembly in 2002 -- the UKD subdued to only one MLA in present assembly. Party considerably lost its base over the years thanks to over ambitious and unfocused leadership.

A party has to get 6% of the total votes polled in any election - to retain its status as recognized regional party. The UKD which was divided just before the 2012 assembly polls was polled 4% and lost its recognition.

The election commission in its recent notification has mentioned two factions of UKD as registered parties - one as UKD and other UKD (Democratic). Trivender Singh Panwar, president of UKD believes the time will come again when voters will prefer them. “Ironically the party MLAs either supported Congress or BJP inside the assembly and that has dented our image like anything,”said Panwar.

The story of UKD dates back to the 70’s when late prof DD Pant formed Uttarakhand Kranti Dal with the sole objective to raise issues of the hills -- when

NATIONAL PARTIES HAVE MASSIVE RESOURCES. WE CAN’T COMPETE WITH THEM. MOREOVER WE ADMIT THAT WE HAVE FAILED IN CONVINCING VOTERS

HARISH PATHAK, UKD supporter

Uttarakhand was part of Uttar Pradesh. The party also strongly demanded a separate state.

In 1989 Loksabha polls, the party’s candidate Kashi Singh Aeri lost from Almora to Harish Rawat. Aeri though won assembly polls in subsequent elections. Regarded as a top leader - Aeri failed to win last two assembly elections in a row.

“The national parties have huge organization and massive resources. We can’t compete with them. Moreover we admit that we have failed in convincing voters”Harish Pathak, a staunch supporter of Aeri says.

In fact the other two states - Chattisgarh and Jharkhand - that came into existence with Uttarakhand in 2000 also have little or no space for regional players. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is a prominent regional party of Jharkhand but Chattisgarh has none of the recognized regional party.