Congress Factionalism Surfaces in Pithoragarh During Harish Rawat's Visit
Signs of deepening factionalism within the Congress party became evident during senior leader Harish Rawat's visit to Pithoragarh on Wednesday. Rawat arrived in the district to participate in the Dharchula Mahotsav, landing at Naini Saini airport. However, the absence of key local leaders at his reception pointed to simmering internal conflicts.
Key Absences Highlight Internal Rifts
Notably, neither local MLA Mayukh Mahar nor former district president Mahendra Lunthi were present to welcome Rawat. Only the current district president, Mukesh Pant, along with his supporters, attended the airport reception. This conspicuous absence has sparked discussions about underlying party divisions.
Sources indicate that MLA Mayukh Mahar has been upset since the recent local body elections. He had advocated for a party ticket for his supporter, Monika Mahar, but the Congress instead awarded the ticket to Anju Lunthi. In response, Mayukh openly backed Monika, who ultimately lost to the BJP candidate by a narrow margin of 17 votes, while the official Congress candidate finished in third place.
Failed Reconciliation Efforts
Following the local body election results, Harish Rawat visited Pithoragarh in an attempt to mend fences and went to Mahar's home to pacify him. However, these efforts reportedly failed to resolve the tensions. During his visit, Rawat commented that while MLA Mahar was not physically present, he remained ideologically aligned with the party.
Further complicating the situation, Mahendra Lunthi, who is considered close to senior Congress leader Yashpal Arya, was also absent from the airport reception. Lunthi is seen as a potential aspirant for a party ticket in future elections, adding another layer to the internal dynamics.
Official Explanations and Insider Insights
When questioned about their absence, Mayukh Mahar stated he was out of Pithoragarh, and Mahendra Lunthi cited pre-existing engagements as reasons for not attending. However, party insiders suggest that these explanations may mask deeper internal differences that influenced their decision to skip the event.
The ongoing factionalism within the Congress in Pithoragarh underscores challenges in party unity, particularly in the lead-up to significant electoral activities. As senior leaders like Harish Rawat attempt to bridge gaps, the visible rifts among local figures could impact the party's cohesion and electoral prospects in the region.
