Harish Rawat Claims Rs 100 Crore Was Paid to Dislodge His Govt

Rawat also dared BJP to call for fresh elections.

The deposed Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Harish Rawat addresses a press conference in Dehradun. (Photo: IANS)

The deposed chief minister of Uttarakhand, Harish Rawat, has been in the news for the political as well as legal battles he has been facing recently.

However, in an interview to The Indian Express, Rawat looked up for the challenges as he dared BJP to call for fresh elections in Uttarakhand. He said that BJP is looking for another defection in Congress and is relying on their money power to achieve it.

He added that the revolt in party hands has nothing to do with the issue of the Cabinet reshuffle. He claimed to have information that more than Rs 100 crore was paid to a “gentleman” to engineer the defections.

Rawat also added that Uttarakhand BJP president Ajay Bhatt was seen in the Assembly “ordering” Vijay Bahuguna (one of the rebel MLA and ex-Chief Minister) to get up. How did Bhatt get such command over Bahuguna, a senior Congress leader, he asked.

Rawat, however, tried to avoid the questions on the future course of action against the rebel MLAs of the party.

Read the full interview on The Indian Express.