NEW DELHI: Former
Uttarakhand
chief minister
Harish Rawat on Friday said that he would lead the
Congress in the upcoming assembly polls as the campaign committee head.
The decision on who would be the chief minister will be taken later, he added.
This was Rawat's first reaction, while speaking to reporters, after a meeting with
Rahul Gandhi.
"As the head of the campaign committee, I would lead the campaign. And all will provide their utmost cooperation," said
Rawat
after the meeting.
Asked whether there was a decision on who would be the chief minister if the party came to power, Rawat said it would be decided later.
The decision on who would be the chief minister is taken after the legislative party holds a meeting and conveys its view to the Congress president. The decision is then taken by the Congress president and and its heartily accepted by all Congress workers, he explained.
Earlier, there was speculation that the Congress faced the prospect of a rift in its Uttarakhand unit after Rawat expressed displeasure with the state of affairs. In tweets, Rawat had indicated that he had to contest the upcoming Uttarakhand polls but his hands were tied.
"
Isn
't it strange, one has to swim in the sea in the form of the forthcoming electoral battle, instead of cooperation, the organizational structure at most places is turning its face away or is playing a negative role," Rawat had said in a tweet.
The party had then called the senior leader to Delhi to discuss matters. Following Rawat's remarks, it appears the party has managed to pacify the veteran leader.
Uttarakhand Congress MLA Pritam Singh before the high-level meeting said, "Today we have been called by the party leadership. Will follow the instructions accordingly. Won't be commenting on
Harish Rawat Ji
's tweets...There is no dispute in the party."
Singh further said, "Harish Rawat ji is our senior leader. I don't want to make any comments on his tweets. Party leadership has called the meeting. Whatever guidelines will be given we will follow them. All the Congress members will follow that."
(With agency inputs.)