Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has resigned from two organisational positions in the Congress, saying he does not want anything connected to him to become a hurdle in the party’s campaign against corruption ahead of the Uttarakhand Assembly elections.
Rawat made the announcement through a Facebook post while addressing controversy surrounding allegations against his former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and close aide, Jina. Reports had claimed that a substantial quantity of cash and jewellery was recovered from Jina in Dehradun.
Rawat said the complete picture would emerge as the investigation progresses. At the same time, he defended his former aide, describing Jina as a “gentle” and hardworking individual who had been entrusted with significant responsibilities during Rawat’s tenure as chief minister and within the party organisation.
Rawat Says He Does Not Want Controversy to Affect Congress
Rawat linked his decision to step aside with the larger political battle being fought by Congress over corruption.
He recalled that he had previously joked about the possibility of the CBI arriving at his doorstep during an election season. According to Rawat, the present situation was different, with allegations instead involving the premises of one of his associates.
“This time, instead of my house, an attempt has been made to create a narrative by knocking on the house of one of my associates,” he said.
Rawat argued that Congress workers were currently engaged in a campaign against corruption, including party leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of irregularities in the education system.
“At such a time, if any action of Harish Rawat weakens the party’s struggle, I would not want that,” he said.
Former CM Resigns From Two Congress Positions
Rawat clarified that he did not currently hold a government position. However, he was serving on the executive of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee and was also a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee.
He announced that he would step down from both positions.
Rawat’s resignation comes at a politically important time as parties prepare for the Uttarakhand Assembly elections, where corruption and government recruitment have emerged as major issues.
Jina Allegations and Recruitment Row
The controversy also touches upon alleged irregularities in the recruitment of village development officers. Rawat said that if his former aide was found to have interfered with OMR answer sheets and investigators established his involvement, he would be deeply ashamed.
However, Rawat said he currently did not accept the allegations against Jina as true.
He also addressed wider questions concerning the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission and defended the recruitment record of his government.
According to Rawat, more than 42,000 government positions were filled during his three-year tenure. He said his administration had taken steps to improve recruitment by establishing separate boards for sectors such as healthcare and education and by encouraging the Public Service Commission to conduct examinations on schedule.
Rawat Admits Possibility of Mistakes
While defending his government’s approach, Rawat acknowledged that mistakes in decision-making could not be completely ruled out.
He said there may have been “errors of judgement” and apologised to the people of Uttarakhand if any such mistake had negatively affected the future of young people seeking government employment.
Rawat also discussed the appointment of a former chairman of the subordinate service commission. He said the appointment had been made after considering the individual’s service record.
According to Rawat, complaints later emerged against the chairman, following which he either removed him or asked him to resign.
He further said former Chief Minister Major General BC Khanduri had advised him about the appointment and had met him twice in connection with the matter.
‘If I Am Involved, Law Should Punish Me’
Rawat said allegations of manipulation in government recruitment should be treated seriously because such practices could damage the prospects of an entire generation of young people.
He maintained that he should face accountability if evidence showed that he had knowingly or unknowingly played a role in any wrongdoing.
Rawat also challenged anyone with evidence against him to approach investigating agencies, including the CBI, Enforcement Directorate or Uttarakhand Police.
“Playing with the future” of young people through recruitment and examination irregularities, he said, was unacceptable.
Rawat reiterated that public representatives and officials must remain away from such temptations and said that if he himself had committed an offence, he should face legal consequences.
“If I am involved, law should punish me,” Rawat said, stressing that the law should be allowed to take its course.
