Full Breakdown
Harish Rawat Presses Ahead with Dhanyawad Yatra Despite Party Warning
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Background & Context
Harish Rawat, former chief minister of Uttarakhand and senior figure in the Indian National Congress, has been organising a “Dhanyawad evam Jansamvad Yatra” across the Kumaon region. The state is slated for Assembly elections in February 2027. In the 2022 election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 47 of the 70 seats, while the Congress secured 19, ending the pattern of alternating power every five years.
Timeline
| Date (occurred) | Event |
|---|---|
| September 11 | Rawat stepped down from two Congress positions after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began probing alleged irregularities in the 2016 Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission recruitment exam. |
| September 27 | Rawat publicly linked the ED summons to “BJP’s electoral anxiety” ahead of the state polls. |
| October 1 | All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Kumari Selja sent Rawat a letter urging him to cancel the yatra, warning that any parallel programme would undermine the party’s unity. |
| October 5 | Rawata began the Jaspur-to-Haldwani leg of the yatra, stating on social media that “there is no stopping now” and urging supporters to “bring the Congress back.” |
Core Event
The yatra, described by Rawat as a public dialogue and thanksgiving campaign, started at 11:30 a.m. in Heera Garden, Jaspur (Udham Singh Nagar district) and proceeded to Haldwani. Local Congress workers joined the procession, and Rawat reported an “overwhelming response from the public.”
Official Statements & Responses
- KC Venugopal (Congress general secretary, organisation) – Reportedly summoned Rawat to New Delhi on October 5, urging him to align his activities with the party’s organisational framework.
On-the-Ground Reports
Workers accompanying the convoy reported enthusiastic crowds in both Jaspur and Haldwani, with slogans such as “Tiger is back” displayed on Rawat’s vehicles.
Data & Statistics
- 2022 Assembly results: BJP 47 seats, Congress 19 seats (out of 70).
- ED seizure: assets worth approximately Rs 1.28 crore, including Rs 32 lakh in cash, about 200 grams of gold and 12 luxury watches.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the specifics of Rawat’s “controversial statements” referenced by Selja; the exact content of those statements is not detailed in any report. Additionally, while the high command’s objection to the yatra is clear, there is no publicly disclosed decision on whether Rawat will face disciplinary action.
What’s Next
With the Uttarakhand Assembly elections scheduled for February 2027, the Congress must decide whether to integrate Rawat’s outreach into its broader campaign strategy or enforce stricter coordination to present a unified front.