Dhami under fire over corruption, irregularities in recruitment; BJP factions raise heat

New Delhi: All is not well in Uttarakhand Bharatiya Janata Party. Despite coming back with a thumping majority just months ago, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is under a scanner over allegations of corruption by its own party leaders.

Sources stated that central leaders are taking a closer look at the leadership issue as party factions are baying for Dhami's scalp over allegations of corruption and irregularities in government recruitment.

"Complaints have been made to the top leadership of the party over the working style of Dhami. Allegations of corruption have also been levelled against the state government in recruitment and allocation of contracts," sources said.

This has created a tricky situation for the party as the BJP had secured victory in Uttarakhand Assembly polls earlier this year winning 47 out of the 70 Assembly seats. Under Dhami's leadership, the party had successfully reversed the state's trend of removing the incumbent government.

It is understood that discontent has been brewing over allegations of favouritism in recruitment.

Former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is also believed to be meeting several senior leaders, over the past few days, in the central BJP to apprise them of the feeling among the party cadre.

Importance of Uttarakhand

Being a border state, Uttarakhand is an important state in BJP's political strategy. The state had elected BJP's nominees to all 5 of its Lok Sabha seats. The party hopes to maintain a similar 100%strike rate in the state in the 2024 general elections as well.

The Central leaders of the saffron party are also believed to be worried over the recent spate of protests and agitation against the Pushkar Singh Dhami government over issues of corruption and irregularities in the government recruitment process, sources said.

In fact, it is believed that the state has not seen such protests after the agitation seeking separation from Uttar Pradesh.

"Many in the party fear that if the protests turn violent it could lead to trouble for the BJP and erosion in its support," sources said.

This has forced the top leadership of the party to reconsider leadership issues, and discussion on creating a post of Deputy CM is also expected, sources said.