Harish Rawat a dead horse: Minister Yashpal Arya

The former Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat has become a tired political soldier not capable of fighting in the field of politics, opined the State Transport and Social Welfare Minister Yashpal Arya. The Minister said this while addressing the media at the State guest house after attending a programme here on Sunday.

The  Minister opined that in order to remain in the lime light, the former chief minister was making incredible statements and leveling allegations of corruption at the ministers in the Bharatiya Janata Party Government in Uttarakhand. Arya said, “He has a habit of playing the politics of allegations but this does not suit a former chief minister. It would have been better, if instead of leveling allegations, he would have come forward with facts and evidence. Instead of simply leveling allegations, Harish Rawat should reveal the names of the allegedly corrupt ministers along with evidence to back his claim.”

The State Cabinet Minister went on to criticise the former chief minister for his “autocratic” attitude.  It was the attitude of Harish Rawat as chief minister which led the state’s economy into an undesirable condition while also proving to be a reason behind division in the Congress party in Uttarakhand.

 Responding to a question raised about the allegations being leveled by the former Chief Minister regarding the national highway 74 scam, Arya said that the public is aware about those involved in the scam and those who ended up making money from the scam.

Regarding the demand of the NH-74 scam main accused DP Singh and the Congress party’s demand for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigatin into the case, Arya said that the State had recommended it for a CBI probe in the past. Presently, the special investigation team is expediting investigation in the case with the culprits expected to be brought to justice soon. Rejecting allegations of the opposition about probe into alleged scams in Gadarpur and Bazpur being suppressed, Arya said that probe is on in these cases.

Replying to questions regarding progress in provision of parking space, he said that permission has been sought from the Central Government for forest land transfer to developing parking facility at Charkhet and Narayannagar in Nainital.

The ADB is preparing the detailed project report for the parking facility.

 He said that the state government has taken serious cognisance of the parking problem in Nainital.

Regarding the court order prohibiting entry of large buses in Nainital town, the minister said that the Government respects the court but will petition the court keeping in view public sentiments as tourism is a major source of income in the area.