Uttarkashi: Political atmosphere in the state has intensified on Thursday with the Aam Aadmi Party fielding retired Colonel Ajay Kothiyal for the by-polls to the Gangotri (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency) seat against Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat.
The Aam Aadmi Party's decision to field Kothiyal in the by-election is a direct challenge to Chief Minister Rawat, as the latter who is a Lok Sabha MP, needs to be an elected member of the legislative assembly before the completion of six months on September 9. In an exclusive interaction with ETV Bharat's correspondent Vipin Negi, the AAP leader spelt out the party's plans and vision for the state.
Colonel Kothiyal told his selection as a candidate in the by-election is a part of the campaign for Uttarakhand reconstruction resolution. "The Tirath Singh Rawat government makes speculations for its own advantages and disadvantages. But if in such a situation the chief minister either withdraws from the election or is being replaced, then the direct message being sent is that only the chief minister is changing it," Kothiyal said.
He also said that the Gangotri assembly is his 'karmabhoomi' and it is for this reason that people are expecting him to fight from there, adding that every politician should have a vision to establish a model in Uttarakhand.
Read: AAP fields Ajay Kothiyal against Uttarakhand CM in by-polls
If a model can be made for Delhi, on the same lines a similar model can be established in the hills as well given the geographical conditions. Col Kothiyal said, he is going with the resolve of Uttarakhand Navnirman among the people to develop the state, adding that, people in the region are asking him questions with new hope and verve, whether the Aam Aadmi Party would bring about the same changes in the state as he had done prior to joining politics. The public is seeing a strong alternative in the Aam Aadmi Party for the next two decades, he adds.
On the reaction of BJP and Congress, the Colonel said, "The dreams with which Uttarakhand was created have not been fulfilled to date. That's why people are looking towards the Aam Aadmi Party. Even today there is a need to fix migration, education and health services." He also said that the people of the Gangotri Assembly are connecting with him on a daily basis.
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Reminiscing about his posting at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in 2013, Colonel Kothiyal said he had made a significant contribution to the reconstruction of Kedarnath post. Also, with the help of the Youth Foundation, a new dimension has been established to provide them with employment. More such models will be set up when AAP comes to power.
