Won't contest election, says Harish Rawat

He might not be the first Congress leader to claim he would not contest election. Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat, 66, had said he was growing old and that he should be made the election incharge of the party in Uttarakhand.

Describing himself as "bujurg" (old), Rawat is of the view that younger generation should be given the chance in the forthcoming general elections. Significantly, Saturday's statement of Rawat came at a time when Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi were here to attend the founder's day function of the Doon School, where Priyanka Vadra's son is studying.

Even as several top Congress leaders such as N D Tiwari and Satpal Maharaj had expressed similar views in the past, Rawat's latest utterances have created ripples in the political circles of the hill state, where speculative stories about a change of guard keep croping.

Though it was not clear how serious was Rawat in his stand to make such a political statement at a press conference in Haridwar, sources close to him said Rawat's statement should be read in sync with his ambition to become chief minister. Others said the statement reflects Rawat's concern over the internal squabbling within the Congress. Some political observers said Rawat has supported Rahul Gandhi, who also wants younger generation to get fair chance in the election.

Rawat, a Lok Sabha member from Haridwar, was the front runner for the post of chief minister of the hill state after the 2012 Assembly elections. But he bitterly opposed Vijay Bahuguna, who was nominated as chief minister by party President Sonia Gandhi.

"By making such a statement, Rawat also wants to attract the attention of the party high command towards the state of affairs in Uttarakhand," said a senior Congress leader.

"Rawat had made similar statements in the past also. One such statement was about not contesting election for 10 years," another party leader pointed.