06-09-2007, 08:00 AM
<!--emo&:cool--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/specool.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='specool.gif' /><!--endemo--> Uttarakhand Cong stumped as TPS Rawat joins BJP
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
BJP president Rajnath Singh on Friday formally announced the induction of TPS Rawat, the retired General who quit the Congress, into the party. Rawat paid Rs 5 to get the BJP's primary membership. "His entry into the party would further strengthen the organisation and the Government in the State," Singh said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri, himself a retired Major General, former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiayari, party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, and other senior party leaders were present on the occasion.
Rawat, who was elected from Dhumakot seat, has resigned from the Assembly to pave Khanduri's smooth entry into the House. Currently, Khanduri is a member of the Lok Sabha from Pauri Garhwal seat. Rawat is set to contest from Pauri Parliamentary seat.
BJP chief Rajnath Singh welcomed TPS Rawat's into the party saying that he had quit the Congress and joined the BJP 'without any conditions but because impelled by the conscience'. "Ever since he was elected from Dhumakot seat, he was quite upset and not even attending the Assembly," Singh added.
The supporters of Rawat from of Dhumakot beat drums and distributed sweets in support of their leader at 11, Ashoka Road, the BJP headquarters. The Chief Minister Khanduri, Koshiayari and others flanked him.
"In the armed forces, the soldiers have a natural liking for the BJP because of its patriotism and nationalism. So it was only natural that he joined the BJP," Khanduri said. The two generals shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
It is interesting to note that Khanduri himself defeated Rawat in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls from Pauri, an election often dubbed as 'the clash of two generals.' Rawat on his part said that he was not at ease in the Congress where 'my pride as a motherland loving soldier was being slighted.' With Rawat's resignation, the strength of Congress in the Assembly comes down to 18.
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
BJP president Rajnath Singh on Friday formally announced the induction of TPS Rawat, the retired General who quit the Congress, into the party. Rawat paid Rs 5 to get the BJP's primary membership. "His entry into the party would further strengthen the organisation and the Government in the State," Singh said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri, himself a retired Major General, former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiayari, party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, and other senior party leaders were present on the occasion.
Rawat, who was elected from Dhumakot seat, has resigned from the Assembly to pave Khanduri's smooth entry into the House. Currently, Khanduri is a member of the Lok Sabha from Pauri Garhwal seat. Rawat is set to contest from Pauri Parliamentary seat.
BJP chief Rajnath Singh welcomed TPS Rawat's into the party saying that he had quit the Congress and joined the BJP 'without any conditions but because impelled by the conscience'. "Ever since he was elected from Dhumakot seat, he was quite upset and not even attending the Assembly," Singh added.
The supporters of Rawat from of Dhumakot beat drums and distributed sweets in support of their leader at 11, Ashoka Road, the BJP headquarters. The Chief Minister Khanduri, Koshiayari and others flanked him.
"In the armed forces, the soldiers have a natural liking for the BJP because of its patriotism and nationalism. So it was only natural that he joined the BJP," Khanduri said. The two generals shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
It is interesting to note that Khanduri himself defeated Rawat in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls from Pauri, an election often dubbed as 'the clash of two generals.' Rawat on his part said that he was not at ease in the Congress where 'my pride as a motherland loving soldier was being slighted.' With Rawat's resignation, the strength of Congress in the Assembly comes down to 18.