Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Congress is currently facing internal turmoil as Pithoragarh MLA Mayukh Mahar defies the party by supporting an independent candidate for the upcoming mayoral election. Mahar’s decision has caused significant outrage within the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC).
Uttarakhand Congress president Karan Mahara has written to the party high command, complaining about Mahar’s “anti-party” activities and demanding action against him. Mahara has also challenged Mahar to resign from the party. The elections for 11 municipal corporations, 43 municipal councils, and 46 nagar panchayats across Uttarakhand are scheduled for January 23.
Party president calls Mahar him a “Ranchor” (looser)
Mahara also called Mahar a “Ranchor” (looser) and recalling that Mahar had promised to ensure the victory of party candidate Anju Lunthi in the 2021 civic polls but is now changed his tone and started supporting her rival. While responding, Mahar stated that he would not resign due to “ego clashes” and would continue supporting the candidate of his choice. Moreover, he accused Mahara of spreading lies about his commitment to the party and highlighted his efforts during the Lok Sabha polls. At a recent rally, Mahar hit back on the Mahara comment about being “Looser “, questioning Mahara’s knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita, where “Ranchod” is a name for Lord Krishna.
Earlier, party’s vice-president (organisation) also deserted the Congress
This resentment follows the resignation of the party’s vice-president (organisation) and a party stalwart, Mathura Dutt Joshi, over ticket distribution issues in Pithoragarh. Mahar’s defiance adds to the party’s woes, following the defection of Mathura Dutt Joshi to the BJP over the denial of a ticket to his wife for the Pithoragarh mayoral polls. Joshi’s disassociation with the party was supported by two other Congress leaders, former minister of state Bittu Karnatak and ex-Pithoragarh Nagar Palika Parishad chairman Jagat Singh Khati, who also joined BJP with Joshi.
Mahar is an old ally of Congress
Mayukh Mahar has a long history with the Congress party. He first contested the Pithoragarh seat in the 2002 Assembly elections. Later, he shifted to Kanalichhina and won the 2007 elections. In 2012, he returned to Pithoragarh and defeated senior BJP leader Prakash Pant. Although he lost the seat to Pant in 2017, he chose not to contest the subsequent bypoll following Pant’s death in 2019. Mahar made a comeback by winning the Pithoragarh seat in the 2022 elections. The internal discord within the Uttarakhand Congress underscores the challenges the party faces as it gears up for the upcoming municipal elections.
