Royal jitters in Uttarakhand BJP (Dangal 2019)

Royal jitters are being felt in the BJP in Uttarakhand ahead of the April 11 Lok Sabha election.

Stoking a controversy, Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, a BJP MLA and the erstwhile scion of Landhaur Estate in Haridwar, has sought ticket for his wife Rani Devyani from the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat in place of sitting party MP and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

"Nishankji is just like a migratory bird in Haridwar as he actually belongs to Pauri district," Champion said in support of his demand.

Champion also praised former Chief Minister and Congress General Secretary Harish Rawat, saying he was an astute politician who always cared for the people.

Significantly, Rawat is giving preference to Nainital seat this time instead of Haridwar from where he had won in 2009. In 2014, Rawat did not contest the Lok Sabha election as he was the Chief Minister.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources said by opposing Nishank in the election, Champion had created hurdles in his own path in the ruling party. "It can also mean that Champion wants to rejoin the Congress," said a senior BJP leader.

Champion, a four-time MLA, had joined the BJP in 2016 when nearly 10 Congress MLAs had revolted against the party in a failed attempt to bring down the Harish Rawat government. And Champion had opposed Rawat in the 2009 election also.

Taking cognizance of Champion'd demand, state BJP President Ajay Bhatt has issued a stern warning asking all party leaders and workers not to create controversies.

"All the party leaders who are seeking ticket should keep restraint and not create any controversies," said Bhatt in a statement. He warned that any "anti-party activity by any leader" would go against them.

--IANS

str/mr