Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat submits resignation to governor

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday announced his resignation to governor Baby Rani Maurya. The move comes amid speculations in the state political circles about an imminent change of guard. Rawat submitted his resignation at Raj Bhawan after his arrival from Delhi, where he met BJP's central leadership.

"The party gave me a golden opportunity to serve this state for four years. I had never thought that I would get such an opportunity. The party has now decided that the opportunity to serve as CM should be given to someone else now," said Rawat in Dehradun after meeting governor.

BJP legislature party meeting is scheduled to be held at 10 am tomorrow at the party office, he said.

"While accepting his resignation, I have asked him to be the acting CM till a new CM is appointed and takes charge," said Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya.

Before proceeding to the Raj Bhawan, Rawat was closeted with his close associates at the chief minister's residence including Cabinet minister Madan Kaushik and state minister Dhan Singh Rawat, who has emerged as a frontrunner to succeed him.
 

On Monday evening, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J.P. Nadda, National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh discussed the political development in the hill state.

BJP National General Secretary and state in-charge, Dushyant Gautam was part of discussion. Meeting was called after several MLAs questioned Rawat's style of functioning.

"Bureaucracy is getting more powerful and voices of elected representatives are unheard," said a party member from Uttarakhand, IANS reported.

On Saturday, the BJP leadership sent former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Gautam as observers to meet state leaders and get a feedback. "Both the leaders met the members of the core committee and took their opinion. Report was submitted to BJP leadership," said a party insider.

It is learnt that the report mentioned that it will be difficult for the party to win the next year state assembly polls with Rawat as the face of BJP.

In 2017, Rawat was made Chief Minister after BJP won in Uttarakhand.

"Even the BJP's central leadership has admitted that its present government in the state could not do much. No matter who they bring now they will not come back to power in 2022," said former Uttarakhand CM and Congress leader Harish Rawat.