Uttarakhand political crisis simmers; Cong leadership meets

New Delhi/Dehra Dun, Mar 18: The political crisis in Uttarakhand Congress refused to die down with sulking Union Minister Harish Rawat saying he has not received any "concrete" proposals from the central leadership to end the stalemate.

"As such no such concrete proposals have come to compensate me. If any such proposal comes, I will discuss it with my supporters," Rawat told reporters in Delhi when asked whether he has received any offers from the High Command to placate him.

Almost a week after Vijay Bahuguna took over as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Rawat said he and his supporters were not against any individual and had no intention of destabilising the government. Congress President Sonia Gandhi held deliberations with Bahuguna and senior party leaders in a bid to resolve the matter. AICC general secretary in-charge for Uttarakhand Chaudhary Birender Singh, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Gandhi's political secretary Ahmad Patel were also present in the meeting, party sources said.

In a bid to mollify Rawat, Congress is considering the name of his wife for Rajya Sabha nomination for the lone vacant seat from the hill state. The issue is believed to have been discussed in the meeting held on Sunday. The date of nomination for the Rajya Sabha seat ends tomorrow.

There are indications that the party is willing to accommodate some of the demands of Rawat, who led a banner of revolt in the party. Birender Singh had yesterday said that the party high command wanted to give Rawat his due. Rawat, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions that he was bargaining for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from the hill state for his wife as compensation.

PTI