Rawat seeks support for Congress candidates in assembly bypoll

Seeking unmitigated support of the people for Congress candidates in the July 21 bypolls to three Assembly seats in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said it will help him set the state firmly on the path of development.

In an emotional appeal to people here, the chief minister apologised to voters of Dharchula, Doiwala and Someshwar seats for his inability to come to them personally due to health reasons to seek their support but said victory of Congress candidates in the forthcoming bypolls will not only speed up his recovery but also enable him to dedicate himself to the task of rebuilding the state with renewed energy and vigour.

Rawat has been at AIIMS, Delhi for nearly a month now after he sustained a neck injury during a flight to the national capital.

Claiming that he had worked diligently towards protecting the interests of the people of the state in a short span of less than six months in office despite restrictions of the Model Code of Conduct (due to Lok Sabha and Panchayat polls), Rawat said he was confident that people have no doubt about his dutifulness and his ability to understand his responsibilities towards them.

Rawat who took over from Vijay Bahugna as the chief minister of the state on February 1 this year is seeking his mandatory entry into the state Assembly as a member within six months of being sworn in.

The chief minister is contesting from Dharchula seat vacated for him by close party colleague Harish Dhami.

Doiwala is being contested by senior Congress leader Hira Singh Bisht and Someshwar by Rekha Arya.