Lok Sabha elections: Retired IAS officers join BJP in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN

: On the occasion of BJP’s 39th foundation day, the party welcomed two retired IAS officers and a senior former BJP leader who had left the party, into its fold in the presence of CM Trivendra Singh Rawat.


The two officers — Suvardhan Shah and MC Upreti — had served in the hill state in several capacities before retirement. In fact, Shah was formerly the state election commissioner who had clashed with the BJP government in the state over holding of urban local body elections. Besides the two officers, KS Fonia who was formerly with the BJP and thereafter with the Aam Aadmi Party also returned to the party fold. Notably, last week, over a dozen retired army officers had also joined the BJP.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed satisfaction over the poll preparations of the party, saying, “We will win all the five seats because people want a clean government. Congress manifesto has exposed its true character before the voters of the nation.”

Slamming Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Rawat added, “Rahul Gandhi has humiliated the farmers and the armed forces of our country. His rallies in the state were a flop show. In

Almora

, he misled people saying no one in

Uttarakhand

has got benefits of the PM Kishan Nidhi scheme while the reality is that 5.34 lakh farmers of Uttarakhand have already received the first installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi.”

He went on to slam Congress, saying, “Their position on Armed Force Special Powers Act is a glaring example of how the Congress doesn’t bother about our army personnel. The Congress party wants our soldiers to be simply left at the mercy of stone-pelters.”