Dehradun: Displaying love for family, friends, brother, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law is something not uncommon even in politics, at least in Uttarakhand. The love is intense across parties. Both ruling Congress and opposition Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) seem to be sailing in the same boat.
Chief minister Harish Rawat is reportedly interested in seeing either his wife Renuka or his daughter Anupama as party candidate from Haridwar parliamentary constituency. If Congress sources are to be believed the state Congress unit has also given consent to Renuka’s name.
In fact, chief minister Rawat contested one election after another from Almora parliamentary constituency until it was reserved for the schedule castes in 2009 Lok Sabha polls.
Rawat in 2004 polls fielded his wife Renuka from Almora but she lost to BJP’s Bachi Singh Rawat. Now Rawat’s protégé Pradeep Tamta represents Almora seat. Defending the entry of family persons in the politics, Rawat recently said that usually sons and family persons follow in the “footsteps of senior member of family”.
Another Congress leader and ex-CM Vijay Bahuguna’s also represents family tree. His father HN Bahuguna was prominent leader and chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Vijay Bahuguna in 2102 by polls fielded his son Saket from Tehri parliamentary constituency. Buzz is Congress wants senior Bahuguna to continue though he is batting for his son. BJP’s case is no different. The sitting MP of Tehri Mala Rajlaxmi Shah hails from the royal family of Tehri. Her father in law Manvendra Shah represented Tehri for decades and after his death BJP gave ticket to his son but he lost to Vijay Bahuguna. In 2012 by polls BJP gave ticket to the daughter in law of senior Shah and present MP.
{{/usCountry}}Another Congress leader and ex-CM Vijay Bahuguna’s also represents family tree. His father HN Bahuguna was prominent leader and chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Vijay Bahuguna in 2102 by polls fielded his son Saket from Tehri parliamentary constituency. Buzz is Congress wants senior Bahuguna to continue though he is batting for his son. BJP’s case is no different. The sitting MP of Tehri Mala Rajlaxmi Shah hails from the royal family of Tehri. Her father in law Manvendra Shah represented Tehri for decades and after his death BJP gave ticket to his son but he lost to Vijay Bahuguna. In 2012 by polls BJP gave ticket to the daughter in law of senior Shah and present MP.
{{/usCountry}}Many leaders in both the major parties feel the dynasty politics spoils the chances of the second league of leaders. The BJP firebrand Munna Singh Chauhan has come out openly against dynastic politics. He was claiming ticket from Tehri.