The ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ at the residence of former Chief Minister and Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhariyal ‘Nishank’ has raised a storm in a tea cup in the political circles of Uttarakhand. The tea party was hosted by ‘Nishank’ at his residence at Vijay Colony after the ceremony of Aajeewan Sahyog Nidhi, the official fund raising programme of the BJP on Sunday.
The fact that tea party was attended by another former CM and Nainital—Udham Singh Nagar MP Bhagat Singh Koshyari raised eyebrows of political observers as both of them are considered arch rivals in the politics of the Himalayan State. Another notable presence in the get-together over a cup of tea was former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna who had defected to BJP from Congress during the budget session of State assembly in 2016.
The National Joint Secretary (Organisation) Shiv Prakash was also conspicuous by his presence in the meeting. It is learnt that both Koshyari and Nishank camps have been getting closer in recent times as many of the leaders and MLAs owing affiliation to them are complaining of not being heeded under the present regime. The discomfiture of the leaders defected to the BJP from the Congress is also well known. One such leader, the MLA from Khanpur, Pranav Singh 'Champion' has publicly raised his voice against the functioning of the State Government. He even went on to the extent of stating that he would put up his grievance in front of central leaders and party president Amit Shah. The tea party was also attended by Transport Minister Yashpal Arya, about 45 other MLAs and district level functionaries of the party.
Though both the State unit of party and the host himself (Nishank) are terming the tea party as just a courtesy meeting, the timing of the meeting, attendance of the MLAs and party leaders is being seen as a clear sign of something brewing up in the party which only ten months ago stormed to the power by three fourth majority in the assembly elections.
“The tea party is an indicator of all not being well in the party. The presence of major factions of State BJP and senior central and State functionaries of the party clearly shows that the Trivendra Singh Rawat Government would be under tight lease is days to come. In last few months Nishank has stepped up his pressure on the government as one of his supporters Raghunath Singh Negi has leveled many allegations on the CM,’’ opined a political observer.
The party, however, is insisting that nothing much should be read from the assembly of leaders over cup of a tea. The party spokesman Devendra Bhasin said that the tea party of Haridwar MP for leaders of Haridwar was planned in advance; in the programme of Aajiwan Sahyog Nidhi he invited other leaders and MLAs. Bhasin said no political inference should be deduced from the gathering which actually was a courtesy meeting.