Col Kothiyal’s entry in the Pauri Garhwal election fray poses direct challenge to both BJP n Congress?

The election of No: 2, Pauri Garhwal parliamentary constituency in Uttarakhand Himalayas, considered to be a hot seat is going to be quite interesting, unique and collossal this time.

The reason being that one of the most popular hero of Kedarnath reconstruction n rehabilitation, the founding chairman of NIM Col Ajay Kothiyal has finally made up his mind on the unanimous pressure of the youths, students, ex servicemen n the general public to contest from here as an independent candidate after being deprived opportunity from both the political parties viz BJP and Congress.

The social media is full of unstinting suport for Colonel Ajay Kothiyal from almost all sections of the society be it women, ex servicemen, youths, students or intellectuals.

The Pauri Garhwal constituency was once popular internationally when in 1983/ 84 it literally became the Indira versus Bahuguna political battle ground with Bahugna finally winning as an independent, establishing a record of sorts.

It was then, that the entire central govt led by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi n chief ministers of more than five Congress ruled states camped here and did their best to ensure that the epitome of Democracy H. N Bahuguna is defated at all costs, but all in vain.

This election wss rigged by the hired goondas of other states and was postponed after Bahuguna filed a strong complaint against the massive malpractices to the then election commissioner Shyam Lal Shakdhar.

It was due to this controvertial election that Garhwal was internationally popularised which was till then an unknown district in the country’s map.

Today, after the speculation of Colonel Ajay Kothiyal’s possible entry into the fray it looks that the same history of 1983 is going to be repeated. If Colonel Ajay Kothiyal really wins as being given to understand by the rumours taking the round then ofcourse it will be the historic repetition of the Garhwal byelection of 1984.

But it’s still unclear as it’s only stored in the destiny to follow. As per the present political scenerio of this constituency, the Bhartiya Janata Party has announced the candidature of Its national secretary Tirath Singh Rawat, who’s the former MLA n minister in Uttarakhand govt hailing from Pauri, Garhwal district.

On the other hand the Congress party has fielded Mr. Manish Khanduri, a journalist turned politician ( novice) who just a few days ago joined the Congress party in Rahul Gandhi’s presence n son of the sitting BJP MP n former Uttarakhand CM Major general retired B. C. Khanduri.

Mr. Khanduri has expressed his inability to contest but was also unceremoniously ousted from the Parliament Defence Committee by Modi government against which Khanduri’s son has joined the Congress.

Now the third entrant is Colonel Ajay Kothiyal as being given to understand. If it really happens, which s almost 100% sure as being given to understand then the contest in Pauri Garhwal constituency ranging from Badrinath Kedarnath China border to Kotdwar is going to be of tremendous interest, posing direct challenge to the Congress as well as the BJP candidates.

It’s being said that highly popular amongst all sections of the society Kothiyal is above caste and ideological affiliations.

He is rated as the true Himalaya Putr of Uttarakhand as was late H. N. Bahuguna decorated by the people of Garhwal n Uttarakhand for his outstanding abilities n courage to take on the then PM Indira Gandhi opposing her draconion emergency of 1975 to the dynastic rule and thereafter joining the total revolution of Jai Prakash Narayan in 1977 fighting against all odds.

Colonel Kothiyal is famous for organising good number of army recruitment camps in various districts of Uttarakhand in Garhwal as well as in Kumaon divisions and imparting special training to recruits ensuring addmission to 8000 young recruits in Indian Army n giving free treatment to thousands of wounded n ill soldiers n ex servicemen apart from engaging hundreds of youths of YOUTH FOUNDATION to carry out the rehabilitation of the Kedarnath victims and reconstruction of Kedarnath against the minus degree temperatures for months together.

It was him n his NIM team of courageous youths whose great efforts led to the successful landing of MI-26 in Kedarnath after the massive ecological disaster. It was the very first time when any cargo helicopter from Air-Force landed on the divine land.

And it was because of the successful landing of the MI-26 plane that heavy machines could be carried like (trucks, dumpers, JCBs) to the high altitude Kedarnath to help in restoration work.

Even the prime minister Narendra Modi and the national security advisor publicly lauded the outstanding and exemplary contribution of Colonel Ajay Kothiyal and his dedicated team of hundreds of youth volunteers of Youth Foundation for having carried out the entire restoration n reconstruction work in devastated Kedarnath under extreme unforeseable condition under minus degree temperatures for months together.

It may be recalled that Colonel Kothiyal who is still a bachelor a fully dedicated to public service with a clear n constructive vision for a new n modern Uttarakhand had already made up his mind to contest from Pauri Garhwal parliamentary constituency.

He had already toured almost all the blocks and maximum villages n district headquarters of Pauri n Chamoli Garhwal holding umpteen corner and public meetings attended by hundreds and thousands of people. The support he’d acknowleged had been tremendous.

He is considered to be a true messiah of the unemployed youth who carries behind him a clear cut vision on the problems of the hills pertaining to easing employment, providing health facilities, stopping increasing exodus to cities n improving the agricultural health of Uttarakhand.

Today, hundreds n thousands of youths have volunteered to campaign for him extensively to ensure his victory at the hustings.

He has send feelers to both the BJP and Congress parties through different sourcs but it’s really distressing to note that intelligent, committed and dedicated aspirants are never welcomed in political parties as the leaders find themselves insecure in the company n leadership of politicians with constructive vision and impeccable integrity.

Hence Colonel Ajay Kothiyal has to be constrained to take the risk of contesting on his own, solely depending on the peoples’ power. It remains to be seen whether honesty n dedication triumphs or money bags, liquor or muscle power in Indian democracy ? What’s your take friends?