Nishank got good amount of Dalit, Muslim votes
Renuka Rawat’s ‘buy one, get one free’ slogan did not click
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar May 17
BJP has returned with a bang in the pilgrim constituency of Haridwar after a gap of 15 years, since Harpal Sathi had made a hat-trick of wins from this constituency way back in 1999.

Since then in 2004 Samjwadi Party followed by Congress in 2009 had put BJP in the 3rd and 2nd place, respectively. But this time in 2014 BJP candidate Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank not only got the highest number of votes, 5,92,320, but also holds a record for the highest victory margin (1, 77,822) by any winning candidate since 1952 when the first General Election was held.

Apart from Narendra Modi wave, which had a major impact on all the five parliamentary constituencies of Uttarakhand, Nishank's political stature, popularity and ability to win elections proved vital in his record win.

Nishank had focused his whole election campaign in rural segments, particularly in Dalit-Muslim-dominated Assembly segments.

As these two communities comprise six lakh votes in the constituency, this proved vital as Nishank got substantial votes from these communities.

Minority-dominated Piran Kaliyar(30,260),Roorkee (4,22,66),Kanpur(4,7,512), Jwalapur(31,9,31),Mangalore (2,62,59) and Jhabreda (3,63,22) are proof of Dalit-minority combo going in favour of Nishank.

During his Chief Minister tenure from June 2009-September 2011, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank as Chief Minister had done several development works in Haridwar in these Assembly segments. He holds good image and rapport among the minority community as is evident with the steps he has taken for the community's uplift ''both as legislator and as CM.'' Nishank also benefited from the Congress move to field a political novice Renuka Rawat, wife of Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat, from Haridwar.

During the entire campaign Congress sought votes in the name of Harish Rawat, with Renuka Rawat in many electoral campaigns seeking votes in the name of her CM husband.

''Buy one, get one free. If you vote for me as your parliamentarian you will get the chief minister as free for the next five years,'' Renuka was heard urging voters at election canvassing, which eventually weakened her candidature.

Harish Rawat campaigned intensely; yet owing to him being CM, he had also to look into other four constituencies of the state, which made it easier for Nishank to reach to those voters, where the Rawat duo could not.

Muzzaffarnagar riots in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh also showed their impact in Haridwar elections as controversial BJP legislator Sangeet Som campaigned for BJP in border areas of Haridwar constituency.

Non-utilisation of full MPLAD funds, unsettled claims of flash flood-affected farmers, local people and Ganga cleaning issue, migration, lack of infrastructure and basic facilities among others also led to voters' disenchantment with Congress in Haridwar constituency.

Know your MPs

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Haridwar
From being a school teacher to representing the Haridwar parliamentary constituency, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has stamped his authority in the political arena many a time. Born in Pauri Garhwal, Nishank was a Shishu Mandir School teacher, who was also well versed in penning poems. He gave voice to the agitation for a separate state of Uttarakhand by starting his own newspaper "Seemant Varta" from Pauri town. In 1991, he contested his maiden election from the Karan Prayag Assembly segment and defeated Congress stalwart Shiva Nand Nautiyal. Nishank made a hat-trick from this seat by winning in the Assembly elections in 1993 and 1996. In 1997, he became the Hill Development Council Cabinet Minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. Uttaranchal was founded on November 9, 2000, and Nishank became the first Finance Minister of the state. However, he lost his first election in Uttaranchal to Ganesh Godiyal from Thailisain in 2002. He again won in 2007 and 2010 and became the fifth Chief Minister of the state.

Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Nainital
Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, who won the Nainital parliamentary seat on the BJP ticket, was born at Namti Chetta Bahgar village in Bageshwar district on July 17, 1942. He joined the RSS at an early age and remained a staunch RSS pracharak. He obtained a masters degree in English literature from Agra University. He started his career as a teacher and journalist and edited a weekly. "Parwat Piyush" published from Pithoragarh town. Koshiyari was jailed during the Emergency from July 3, 1975, to March 23, 1977. After coming out of jail he took up journalism and RSS work as priority. He joined the BJP in 1991 when he was nominated as convener of the Uttaranchal State Formation Committee. Koshiyari was nominated to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council in May 1997 under the journalist quota. He is contesting his first election from Kapkot in Uttarakhand in 2002. He became a member of the interim Assembly of Uttarakhand and also remained Chief Minister from October 2001 to March 2002. He became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 2008.

Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd), Pauri Garhwal
Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd), who registered a thumping victory for the BJP in Pauri Garhwal, has got elected from the seat for the fifth time. A key man in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, Khanduri was Union Surface Transport Minister who was instrument in furthering Vajpayee's pet golden quadrangle road project. After retirement from the Army, Khanduri has had a successful career in politics. Barring once, he has won all Lok Sabha elections he has so far contested since his entry into politics in 1991. Being the senior-most BJP leader in Uttarakhand, Khanduri is tipped to get a Cabinet berth in the Narendra Modi government.

Mala Raj Laxmi Shah, Tehri Garhwal
Sixty-four-year-old Mala Raj Laxmi Shah began her political career in 2012 when she won the Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha byelection on the BJP ticket by defeating the then Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna's son Saket Bahuguna. She is the daughter-in-law of Manvendra Shah, the last ruler of the erstwhile Tehri principality. Her father-in-law represented the Tehri Garhwal parliamentary seat for a record eight times. The BJP fielded her from the Tehri Garhwal constituency in 2012 for the parliamentary byelection. Born in Kathmandu, Mala Raj Laxmi completed her intermediate studies from Ratna Raj Laxmi College in Kathmandu.

Ajay Tamta, Almora (reserve) seat
Ajay Tamta, who defeated Congress candidate Pradeep Tamta from the Almora (reserve) seat, became an RSS worker early in his life and started social work in Someshwar and Almora towns. He was born in the Dugal Khola locality of Almora town in 1973. He became the president of the Almora zila panchayat in 1998 under the general quota and contested the Assembly election from the Someshwar seat in 2002 as an Independent candidate and lost. He contested again in 2007 and defeated Congress candidate Pradeep Tamta from the Someshwar Assembly seat. He again contested and won the state Assembly elections from Someshwar in 2012.

Cong MLA Dhami invites CM Harish Rawat to contest from Dharchula
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 17
Congress MLA from Dharchula Harish Dhami has invited Chief Minister Harish Rawat to contest from his Assembly segment .In Dharchula Assembly segment the Congress candidate secured 2521 more votes than BJP candidate in the Lok Sabha polls , making Dharchula the only Assembly segment in Almora parliamentary seat to give Congress lead.

''I am going to Dehradun to invite Rawatji to contest from Dharchula Assembly for guaranteed victory,'' said Dhami, the Congress MLA from Dharchula, who talked to this correspondent before leaving for Dehradun to invite the chief minister to contest from his seat.

According to Dhami, he could combat Modi wave as he fought for the people selflessly in his political career. ''The decisions taken in the interest of local people of Dharchula by the chief minister helped combat the Modi wave in Dharchula,'' said Dhami. According to the Congress leader, the defeat of Congress was due to self oriented attitude of Congress leaders when in power. ''Congress leaders have a tendency to forget the people or behave autocratically after getting power. If Congress leaders promise to serve people selflessly even from today, the wave can be turned into Congress's favour in the coming days,'' said the Congress MLA from Dharchula.

''Congress did not organise training programmes, which could have helped in reaching the new generation,'' said Dhami.

After the humiliating loss, CM claims no threat to state govt
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 17
Amid rising demands for his resignation by the BJP, after a humiliating defeat on all five Lok Sabha seats in the state, Chief Minister Harish Rawat claims that there is no threat to his government, as all the party legislators and those of Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) are fully backing the state government.

Even before the election results were announced, state BJP leaders including former Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari had predicted the fall of the Congress government in the state.

Pauri Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj, who recently quit the Congress to join the BJP, had claimed that the state Congress government would not survive after the defeat of the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls. Both these leaders and the state BJP president Teerath Singh Rawat demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Harish Rawat on moral grounds after Congress was drubbed in the Lok Sabha polls.

The state Congress government is dependent on the support of seven legislators belonging to Progressive Democratic Front (PDF), a conglomerate of three legislators that belong to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), three Independent candidates and a lone candidate from Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD).

The Congress has 33 legislators of its own, while the BJP has 30 legislators in a house of 70.

The Congress also faces danger from at least three Congress legislators, who owe their allegiance to Satpal Maharaj including his wife Amrita Rawat, who is a Cabinet Minister in the Harish Rawat ministry.

Mantri Prasad Naithani, Education Minister and Convenor of the PDF, is a known Satpal Maharaj supporter.

Meanwhile, Mantri Prasad Naithani, PDF Convenor, when contacted denied any move to destabilise the state government. “We are supporting the government and it will last its full term,” he claimed.

Tourism Minister Amrita Rawat, Satpal Maharaj’s wife, also claimed that there was no threat to the state Congress government.

Political compulsions rather than principles will push CM to tender resignation: BC Khanduri
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 17
Former Chief Minister BC Khanduri said today, political compulsions rather than principles would push Chief Minister Harish Rawat to tender his resignation.

“One cannot expect the Congress Chief Minister Harish Rawat taking moral responsibility for the humiliating defeat suffered by the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. Principles have seldom been the bench mark to judge the Congress government or its Chief Ministers. I think non-conducive conditions will force the Chief Minister to submit his resignation,” he said while addressing mediapersons today.

Khanduri said the verdict was in favour of BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narinder Modi, because the public was fed up of corruption and mis-governance of the UPA.

“The public has reposed its faith in Modi and the BJP for ending corruption and good governance rather than the Congress party. Modi has already accomplished these feats in the state and the country wants him to emulate the Gujarat model,” said Khanduri.

Khanduri also emphasised that under the leadership of Modi, India would be able to put its viewpoint emphatically at various international forums.

The former Chief Minister also seemed to be in concurrence with Modi on the issue of framing a separate Himalayan policy for the state, “Uttarakhand has not been able to achieve much, due to the frequent clash between development issues and environmental issues. I think a separate policy will immensely help our case,” Khanduri said.

On being asked, if he was in the race for a ministerial berth in Modi’s soon to be announced Cabinet, Khanduri said he was not hankering after any posts, “My job was to win the parliamentary seat from Pauri, the decision about berth in the Cabinet will be taken by the central leadership,” he added. Khanduri who returned from Pauri today, was given a warm welcome by the party workers and leaders.

AAP's performance dismal in state

Dehradun, May 17
The performance of the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) in the Lok Sabha elections in the state remained dismal as it failed to repeat its Delhi feat in Uttarakhand. None of its candidate could win a single seat.

After winning 28 seats in an impressive debut in Delhi, all five AAP candidates finished fourth or fifth on the five parliamentary seats in Uttarakhand.

Besides AAP's Tehri candidate Anoop Nautiyal, none other candidates polled more than 20,000 votes. — TNS

AAP workers thank people

Dehradun, May 17
AAP workers led by party’s Tehri Lok Sabha seat candidate Anoop Nautiyal today gathered at Clock Tower and expressed gratitude to the people of the region for supporting his party. The party workers pledged to work for the betterment of the society. They said they respect the mandate of the people and their struggle against corruption would continue unabated. Omkar Bhatia, Kamal Devrari, Ritu Dimri and Rajesh Bahuguna were present. — TNS

State BJP unit demands CM's resignation

Dehradun, May 17
The Uttarakhand BJP unit today called upon the state Chief Minister Harish Rawat to tender his resignation. “The CM should take responsibility for the wipeout of the Congress in the state and tender his resignation immediately. He should emulate former Chief Minister BC Khanduri, who had tendered his resignation after the BJP lost all the five in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections,” said Teerath Singh Rawat, state BJP chief. — TNS

Rawat reshuffles portfolios

Dehradun, May 17
IChief Minister Harish Rawat has allotted the Industrial Development Department to Cabinet Minister Indira Hridayesh. Further, the Housing Department has been given to Cabinet Minister Pritam Singh Panwar. — TNS

Analyst: Congress failed to gauge public mood
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, May 17
The Narendra Modi wave aided by double anti-incumbency feeling in the state helped BJP to win both the parliamentary seats of Kumaon, despite the fact that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who hails from the region, did his utmost to retain both the seats. The seats, Almora (reserve) and Nainital, were represented by Congress in the outgoing Lok Sabha.

Harish Rawat as Chief Minister had concentrated on the two seats immediately after assuming the reins of the state with an aim to do well in his native Kumaon region.

It was evident that the Congress candidates failed to gauge the public mood which was longing for a change. Failing to combat anti-incumbency and inflation, Congress candidates were boasting of their work as MPs. Nainital MP K.C.Singh Baba harped on opening of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Kashipur as his achievement. Almora MP Pradeep Tamta claimed formulation of Himalayan policy by the Central Government as his major achievement. The common voters of the region did not relate with these two issues.

“The claims of the chief minister before Congress high command that he will ensure victory from two seats for Congress proved false as his team management was wrong and soon after assuming office, his action started dividing the party, ” said L.L. Verma, a retired professor of Kumaon University.

According to Verma, as the region is dominated by the voters from lower strata of society, it would have responded to Congress programmes but due to disunity in the party, there was complete chaos in the Congress ranks. “What Dharchula did to save Congress could have been repeated at some other Assembly segments had the Congress remained one and honest,'' said Verma.

Almora voters have been complaining of non-performing Congress MP and increasing crisis of drinking water, roads and electricity which were being negated by the Congress MLAs, especially from those who belonged to the Rawat camp. “The fight of Congress MLAs with officers with the intention of empowering their workers reflected negatively in the public as the people got the impression that Congressmen were only for their workers rather than for the people, ” said Dr Prabhat Upreti, another retired professor of the university.

According to Prabhat Upreti, Congress MP in Nainital never took seriously the problem of drinking water in Haldwani and lack of infrastructure in hill region of the district of Nainital. “ He remained active in Terai region only, which resulted in heavy loss to Congress from the hill Assembly segments of Nainital district,'' said Prabhat Upreti.

According to political analysts in Kumaon region, Congress would have combated the Modi wave even if the much publicised decisions taken by Harish Rawat after assuming power would have materialised before the elections. “Neither the disaster victims could be satisfied, nor the government orders on other decisions could be released in time. This dented the image of Rawat and the Congress, which helped Modi,'' said Upreti.

CM welcomes Jagdishshila doli
Tribune News Service

Dehradun/Haridwar, May 17
Chief Minister Harish Rawat accorded a grand welcome to the Shri Vishwanath Jagdishshila Doli during the 15th Rath Yatra, here today.

Terming the yatra close to public heart and soul, Rawat said an annual grant would be earmarked for the 23-day yatra. An amount would also be released for the repair of roads and efforts would be made to join the routes of the yatra with other pilgrimages taking place in Uttarakhand.

“Since the state is considered to be an important place for pilgrimages, a Secretary has been appointed and given the sole responsibility of maintaining the religious places in the state. A Sanskrit Education Department has been set up to promote Sanskrit language. Efforts are also being made to safeguard the religious places,” said Rawat.

Dr CP Ghidiyal, Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri, Harish Chandra Durgapal and Vinod Barthwal were also present on the occasion.

Palanquin of deity Jagdishshila brought to Haridwar for holy dip

The palanquin of revered deity of Bhagwan Jagdishshila situated in Hindav mountain, Tehri Garhwal, was brought today to Haridwar for holy Ganga dip ritual.

Since 1998, the deity of Jagdeeshila is brought by villagers and Cabinet Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani,who is legislator from Deo Prayag Assembly, to Haridwar.

At the sanctum sanctorum of Braham Kund, Har-ki-Pauri, the palanquin is given a royal holy bath amidst chanting of rituals.

Today Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Uttarakhand government, Amrita Rawat, along with her Cabinet colleague Mantri Prasad Naithani arrived with the palanquin early in the morning.

Naithani, shedding light on the advent of this religious pilgrimage, said that by the blessings of spiritual guru Satpal Maharaj and Amrita Rawat, devotees of Hindav decided to start this cultural pilgrimage.

Tourism Minister Amrita Rawt said that Uttarakhand government is committed to carry out development and beautification of shrines and other cultural places in the state.

Amrita pointed that apart from Char Dham pilgrimage, other revered shrines and 'shaktipeeths' will also be developed and promoted. Roads and tracks to these shrines would be developed.

Vishon Mountain is a devotional place, where revered Guru Vashisht and Swami Ram Teerthperformed meditation. Uttarakhand is a land of sacred places called 'Dev Bhoomi,' said Omesh Sharma, coordinator of the Jagdishshila yatra.

Yogesh Sharma, Manoj Jha,Hari Om,Ankur Paliwal,Gaurav Vasisth, Mukesh Sharma, Shri Kant Vashisth,Vinay Sharm, Pundit Jagdeesh Atri, Arvind Sharma,Gaurav Jain,Kedar Singh Luthiyagi from Shyampur, Surendra Singh, Ashish Pokhriyal and village devotees from 11 villages from Hindav were present at Har-ki-Pauri mela zone during the palanquin procession.

Logo of Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 17
Uttarakhand Assembly Deputy Speaker Anushuya Prasad Maikhuri on Thursday released the logo of Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra 2014.

At a function held in Dehradun, Maikhuri disclosed that the logo kept much importance in bringing Shri Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra to the knowledge of the general masses.

He said all preparations have been completed for holding the Shri Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra from August 17 to September 3 in the state.

Shri Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra Samiti's president Rakesh Kumar, general secretary Bhuwan Nautiyal and MLA Jeet Ram were present on the occasion.

IIT, Roorkee, signs MoU with UK varsity

Dehradun, May 17
The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT-R), India's oldest technical institute today announced its partnership with a world top-100 UK research university, University of Southampton by signing an MoU to promote collaborative research, primarily in the areas of aviation and railway engineering, with a focus on developing technological solutions for the industry.

Director of IIT Roorkee Professor Pradipta Banerji and the vice-chancellor of the University of Southampton, Professor Don Nutbeam, signed the agreement on May 13, during a joint workshop in Southampton.

After signing the agreement, Pradipta Banerji, director, IIT Roorkee said, "To cement the relationship the institutions are holding a number of thematic workshops both in the UK and India. The workshop this week in Southampton has already enabled us to identify areas where there is potential for collaboration and we are holding the next workshop at our Roorkee campus in July. Other initiatives are on the cards, including, exchange proposals.”

Professor Mark Spearing, the pro vice-chancellor, University of Southampton added, "There are tremendous synergies between our institutions to promote collaborative research." — TNS

Dance, plays mark Scholars Home School celebrations
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 17
A blue sapphire jubilee celebration of Scholars Home School started at its open air theatre here today. The programme witnessed a spellbinding and mesmerising dance and musical ensemble that kept the enthralled audience glued to their seats.

The resounding rhythms, which also comprised brilliantly enacted street plays depicting relevant social afflictions, were very well received by the parents present during the event, which was organised to mark the 65 years of the school.

Chhaya Khanna, Principal of the school, lighted the ceremonial lamp in the presence of chief guest Dr Indu Chhabra, an eminent doctor and social worker and guest of honour, Manoj Srivastava, Regional Officer, CBSE, Dehradun Region.

Earlier, in the beginning of the programme, the eminent alumni's of the school were awarded along with the longest serving teachers. The students were told about the accomplishments of the school in the last 65 years. A splendid fireworks and musical fountain display spellbound the audience.

SI accuses DGP of bid to influence tree-felling case

Dehradun, May 17
The problems for Uttarakhand DGP BS Sidhu escalated today after a Sub-Inspector with the state police accused him of misusing his position to influence the controversial case of illegal felling of trees on his land on the Old Mussoorie Road here.

Sub-Inspector Nirvikar Singh, who was the investigating officer in the case of illegal cutting of saal trees on the land owned by the DGP, called the latter an authoritarian officer and accused him of trying to influence the case. The Forest Department had accused the DGP of cutting the trees illegally and a case was registered against him at Rajpur police station. "I tried my best to conduct an impartial investigation in the case and find the truth?," said Nirvikar while addressing a press conference here.

He added that the National Green Tribunal had directed the DGP to submit an affidavit in the case at the earliest and the final hearing is scheduled for May 28.

The Dehradun police had recently initiated a preliminary enquiry against Nirvikar in six cases in which he was the investigation officer during his stint in the city. Rumours were rife that he was being targeted for doing a fair enquiry in the illegal tree cutting case. Nirvikar had then accused the DGP of being vindictive and even wrote a complaint letter against him to the Governor and the Chief Minister. — TNS

Movie-making contest, dance and song mark cultural fest

Dehradun, May 17
The third day of the cultural fest at St Joseph’s Academy unfolded a plethora of activities ranging from movie making, folk dances, classical dances, duet singing and English dramatics here today. The function commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Principal Rev. Brother Dennis. The first event was movie-making competition on the theme 'Water.' The judges on the occasion were impressed seeing the enlightening movies prepared by the students. Next in line were the folk dance performances, which enthralled everybody present there.

The solo Indian classical dance performance in which the performers with their exquisite footwork and expressions left the audience spellbound. The well-scripted and well-enacted comedy plays like 'The Girl Next Door,' 'Hotel 40 Towers,’ 'Shots in the Dark’ and 'My Fair Lady' in English dramatics proved the talent of the budding actors and writers. The western group dance left the gathering mesmerised.

In the end, Duffy house won the Champions’ Trophy, very closely followed by Dooley house that won the runners- up trophy. — TNS