A tale of two CMs: Claims and counter-claims

SMA Kazmi in Dehradun

The Uttarakhand tragedy tells a tale of two chief ministers. The one who weathered the immediate storm is out; Vijay Bahuguna is now in the opposition BJP camp. The one who succeeded Bahuguna, Harish Rawat, by blasting him on relief and rehabilitation has all the good things to talk about. Obviously Rawat has chagrined his predecessor. Their coming and going only reflect a sad aspect: words are fine, but people need more than homilies and empty promises. 

“The Char Dham Yatra covering Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri along with Hemkund Sahib is the backbone of Garhwal’s economy. So, my priority is to start massive reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. We are able to provide better facilities for the pilgrims to Kedarnath, which suffered the maximum damage.”

Bahuguna isn’t convinced. He says the speed of reconstruction in the disaster-hit areas is not up to the mark. He said in the aftermath of the disaster, his role was to rescue the stranded, provide relief to the affected and work for reconstruction. “During the first six months, my job was to provide first aid and I am satisfied that I did my job well.” 

He claims it was his efforts that the yatra to Kedarnath was restarted in October 2014. “I had laid the foundation,” he said. “I was also able to bring a special package of Rs 7,300 crore from then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. But the present state government headed by Harish Rawat during its two-and-a-half-year tenure has not been able to spend even Rs 500 crore from it,” says Bahuguna. 

Rawat is a staunch political opponent of Bahuguna. The Chief Minister said: “We have reconstructed safe bridges, tourist huts and kitchen facilities. There was a massive demolition drive to clear the damaged buildings and rebuild new ones at Kedarpuri. A three-tier safety wall has been constructed for the safety of the Kadarnath temple. We have given compensation to the affected persons and involved them in the reconstruction and rehabilitation works.” 

It’s a different matter, though, that not many Uttarakhandis are convinced of those plans. Nor do they believe that Bahuguna came out tops after the tragedy. Last year, the state government came under heavy fire when it emerged that state government officials during the 2013 flash floods submitted inflated bills and partied as lakhs went hungry. A government inquiry later gave a clean chit to the babus.