Dehradun: Although the nomination process for Kedarnath by-polls began today, the Congress party continues to face a tough task to select its nominee. Four-member panel headed Ganesh Godiyal is learnt to have sent its report, containing names of potential candidates, to the party’s observers. Sources said the party high command may take its final decision on the name of its candidate for Kedarnath by-poll within next 48-hour. Manoj Rawat, who contested as Congress nominee in 2022 assembly polls from Kedarnath seat, is considered as the frontrunner for getting Congress symbol this time.
Several contenders for the party ticket
Sources in the Congress party said there are several contenders for the party ticket to contest from Kedarnath seat in the by-poll. Former minister and congress’ senior leader Harak Singh Rawat is said to be in the race for the ticket. Sources said a section of party leaders is against consideration of Harak Rawat’s name for contesting Kedarnath by-poll as Congress nominee. “Rawat had not campaigned in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Senior leaders are unhappy with him because of his little role in the election campaigning in the 2024 LS polls,” a source in the Congress party said.
Godiyal played a crucial role in facilitating Harak Singh’s entry into the Congress
During the Lok Sabha elections, Harak Singh refrained from campaigning for the Congress nominee Ganesh Godiyal in the Pauri Lok Sabha elections. Remarkably, Godiyal is credited for bringing back Rawat in the Congress party. Godiyal was president of Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) during the 2022 assembly polls. Now Ganesh Godiyal is reportedly in favour of Manoj Rawat as his party’s nominee for the Kedarnath by-poll.
Harish Rawat camp wants Manoj Rawat to contest Kedarnath by-poll as Congress’ nominee
Manoj Rawat, who is frontrunner for the Congress party ticket, enjoys support of the former chief minister and Congress stalwart Harish Rawat camp. “It was former CM Harish Rawat who brought Manoj, a former journalist, in the Congress camp and ensured the party ticket for him in the 2017 assembly elections,” recalled a leader of the Congress preferring anonymity.
