By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Rudrapur, 13 Nov: The Congress High Command’s latest organisational reshuffle has sparked open rebellion within the party’s Rudrapur unit. 11 municipal councillors have submitted their resignation from the primary membership in protest against the re-appointment of Himanshu Gaba as Udham Singh Nagar District Party President. The revolt has been reportedly fuelled by senior Congress MLA Tilak Raj Behad.
The dissenters, led by municipal councillor Saurabh Behad, son of Kichha MLA Tilak Raj Behad, announced their resignation at a press conference here today and have accused the party leadership of ignoring the ground realities and the local sentiments.
It may be recalled that the Congress High Command had late on Tuesday evening, issued a list announcing changes in state, district and metropolitan units, in which Gaba was reinstated as District President, while women’s wing worker Mamata Rani was appointed as the new President of the Rudrapur city unit, replacing CP Sharma. The decision, however, has drawn sharp criticism from a section of party workers in Udham Singh Nagar district, who have alleged that the move will further weaken the Congress in the district.
The disgruntled municipal councillors today declared that they would neither participate in nor support any party programmes henceforth. They reminded that the Congress’s electoral position was already precarious and that repeating old faces in key positions instead of bringing in dynamic and experienced leadership would only damage the party’s prospects. They further alleged that the appointment process was farcical, as consultations were held with local leaders merely for formality’s sake, and the same person was ultimately reinstated despite widespread opposition to his leadership.
In their resignation letter to the newly appointed State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal, the municipal councillors have stated that their decision has been taken collectively and that it reflects the prevailing disillusionment among party workers in Rudrapur. Those who have resigned include Sushil Mandal (Ward 4), Inderjeet Singh (Ward 36), Gaurav Khurana (Ward 30), Parvez Quraishi (Ward 20), Saurabh Behad (Ward 39), Shubham Das (Ward 3), Madhu Sharma (Ward 27), Anjali (Ward 23), Gaurav Giri (Ward 32), Mohd Ashfa (Ward 13), and Shanno (Ward 26).
While asserting that they had no objection to Mamata Rani’s appointment as the Rudrapur Mahanagar President, the councillors contended that a new and competent person should have been given charge of the district unit. They also asserted during the press conference that the party’s condition is already weak. Reappointing the same district president instead of inducting new leadership will only demoralise the workers.
Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Kichha MLA and former Cabinet Minister Tilak Raj Behad lashed out at the party leadership, saying that the district president can’t name a single achievement of his during his previous term. Behad declared that he can’t accept the leadership of Gaba. The senior Congress leader added that the situation of the party in district Udham Singh Nagar is very bad as Gaba works just to keep one person happy. Behad reminded that he has worked day and night for the Congress, and now he does not know what has happened to the party. He is unable to accept a district president who works from an air-conditioned room and has never spoken a word against the BJP. Behad went on to challenge Gaba to contest elections from Rudrapur if he has such influence.
Behad further alleged that the Congress party’s condition had deteriorated due to internal favouritism and a culture of ‘setting and getting’. He also took a swipe at Khatima MLA Bhuvan Kapri, claiming that he was often seen with people with dubious character and those known as anti-social elements.
Behad also claimed that the Congress is sidelining him. He further remarked, “Now, let us see what happens in 2027,” possibly hinting at future political shift.
Meanwhile, the Congress leadership has chosen to remain tight-lipped on the resignations, even as the rebellion in Rudrapur underscores growing discontent within the state unit over recent appointments.
