Rawat's move to keep Congress flock together

The move to upgrade the status of MLAs came amid threat perception that is looming on the Congress-led coalition government from the BJP.

Several BJP leaders had been stating openly that the Rawat government would fall after the election results. “I think they are trying to save the government before the collapse begins,” said BJP leader and former chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.

Significantly, the Congress is sharing power with the seven-member Progressive Democratic Front (PDF), an alliance of seven MLAs, who are mostly independent.

However, the suspense has also mounted amid reports that state tourism Amrita Rawat, wife of BJP leader Satpal Maharaj, may be dropped in a cabinet reshuffle after the tomorrow’s results.

“The cabinet reshuffle will depend upon the performance of the ministers,” said the Chief Minister.

Amrita is said to be sulking after not getting horticulture and power portfolios for which she had allegedly lobbied earlier. Moreover, Amrita’s husband Maharaj had chosen to join BJP giving rise to speculation that his wife will not feel at ease with Rawat, a bitter political adversary of Maharaj.