Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat resigned from his post after a mere four months at the helm on Friday. While Opposition leaders remain unconvinced, the former CM as well as other members of his party have insisted that this was done to avoid a constitutional crisis.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has now been named as central observer for the state of Uttarakhand. With the state headed to elections in less than a year, Uttarakhand's third chief minister during a single five year term is also likely to lead the party at the time of the polls. The BJP is slated to hold a meeting at 3 pm with all party MLAs as well as Central observers.
"Had Tirath Singh Rawat not resigned, it would have led to Constitutional crisis. In some states, bypolls were delayed due to COVID-19. Circumstances have led to this situation. Leader to be elected at today's legislature meet," former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said on Saturday afternoon.
With the difficulties involved in conducting a bypoll election at this time, the new leader is likely to be from among the existing MLAs. Though the BJP has a penchant for springing surprises, the names of former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Chaubattakhal MLA and Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj and Shrinanagar MLA Dhan Singh Rawat have been doing the rounds as probables for the top post.
Trivendra Singh Rawat however insists that he is not in the contention. "Neither was I part of the race earlier, nor today. The legislative party leader will be elected at the meeting today," he insisted.
There has not been any official indications from the party thus far.
