Dehradun, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : Harish Rawat, a senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, has resigned from his positions within the state Congress Committee and the Congress Working Committee. This decision comes in the wake of reports that significant amounts of cash and jewelry were seized from his officer on special duty, Chandan Singh Jeena.
In a statement, Rawat expressed his desire not to weaken the party’s struggle due to any of his actions. He firmly denied any allegations of wrongdoing against his associate. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in a recruitment exam conducted by the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) in 2016, which prompted the ED’s raids on Jeena’s properties.
Rawat addressed the media, stating, “Currently, news is circulating on television that large amounts of cash and jewelry have been seized from my PA in Dehradun. The truth will emerge in time, but it is a fact that Mr. Jeena has been my OSD and has played significant roles in the positions I have held in the party and the government.”
Describing Jeena as a “humble and hardworking” individual, Rawat acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations while maintaining his disbelief in their validity. He emphasized that the upcoming Uttarakhand Assembly elections are crucial and that the Congress party and its workers are united in their fight against corruption. He also mentioned Rahul Gandhi’s initiative, “Students’ Voice,” which aims to combat corruption in the education system.
Criticizing the BJP-led central government, Rawat humorously remarked that whenever someone asked him about the timing of elections, he would joke that they would occur when the CBI knocked on his door. He noted that this time, the narrative was being shaped through actions taken against his associate rather than himself.
Rawat further stated, “If my actions weaken the party’s struggle in any way, I would not want that. Thus, I have made a significant decision to step down from my positions as a member of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee and as a permanent invitee to the National Congress Working Committee.”
He highlighted the importance of the UKSSSC, which was established with the youth’s future in mind, and noted that during his tenure, over 42,000 appointments were made for government positions. Rawat defended the appointment of the UKSSSC chairman based on his past service record and reiterated his commitment to accountability.
He concluded by stating that if any mistakes were made during the appointment process that adversely affected the youth of Uttarakhand, he would seek forgiveness from the public. Rawat urged anyone with evidence of misconduct to present it to the appropriate authorities, emphasizing the need for integrity in public service.
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