Harish Rawat Attacks Independent MLA Amid Uttarakhand Congress Rift

The tension stems from a 2016 sting operation in which Kumar, then a journalist, played a pivotal role in the downfall of the Congress government. Rawat, writing on X, criticized “new-brand” Congress members in Haridwar for praising Kumar, suggesting that the MLA’s immense wealth—reportedly amassed following the 2016 political crisis—is driving this shift in sentiment. The former Chief Minister expressed deep frustration that the party's internal dynamics now favor those who led the Congress into a decade-long exile from power in the state.

This public outburst follows the ‘Dhanyawad Evam Jansamvad Yatra’ and signals a deepening rift within the Uttarakhand Congress. Rawat has abruptly altered his travel plans, bypassing a scheduled trip to Dehradun to fly to Delhi instead. He is set to meet with party general secretary K.C. Venugopal and state in-charge Kumari Selja to present his grievances directly to the high command. With Rawat signaling his intent to potentially contest the next election from the Khanpur constituency—currently held by Kumar—the power struggle appears to be intensifying.