Harish Rawat Resigns from Congress Posts Amid ED Investigation: What’s Next for the Former CM?

Harish Rawat's Resignation Amid Controversy

Dehradun/New Delhi: On Saturday, prominent Congress figure Harish Rawat announced his decision to step down from all party roles following the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) seizure of cash and jewelry from his personal assistant's residence. He expressed his willingness to face imprisonment if implicated in any misconduct.

In a press conference in Delhi, the former chief minister of Uttarakhand stated that he is resigning from his positions within the Pradesh Congress Committee and as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee. This move aims to protect the integrity of the party's narrative regarding student issues highlighted by Rahul Gandhi, especially with the assembly elections approaching.

Sources close to Rawat indicated that he plans to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge soon to formally submit his resignations.

Rawat emphasized the significance of the upcoming Uttarakhand assembly elections and suggested that the ED's actions were intended to manipulate public perception.

He clarified that while he is resigning from these organizational roles, he remains a member of the Congress party, highlighting the distinction between the two.

This development follows the ED's recent raids, during which luxury watches and ₹32 lakh in cash were confiscated from Chandan Singh Jeena, Rawat's personal assistant, who previously served as an officer during Rawat's chief ministership from 2014 to 2017.

The ED stated that these raids are part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged irregularities in a 2016 examination conducted by the state service selection commission.

Defending Jeena, Rawat asserted that his assistant could not possibly be involved in any wrongdoing.

He described Jeena as a long-time associate who is decent, humble, and diligent.

Rawat expressed that if any evidence of tampering with OMR sheets during the recruitment process emerges, he would be deeply ashamed, but he currently does not believe the allegations.

He reiterated that the Congress party and its members are committed to combating corruption, with Rahul Gandhi advocating against corruption in the education sector through the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative.

Reflecting on his tenure as chief minister, Rawat noted that over 42,000 government positions were filled, and various recruitment boards were established to ensure timely examinations.

He acknowledged that if he made any misjudgments regarding the recruitment process, he would apologize to the people of Uttarakhand.

Regarding the appointment of the then chairman of the Subordinate Services Selection Commission, R B S Rawat, he stated that it was based on merit and past service records.

After a complaint was lodged, an inquiry was initiated, leading to the chairman's resignation and the cancellation of the examination based on a three-member committee's findings.

Rawat urged anyone with evidence of his involvement in recruitment irregularities to present it to the CBI, ED, or state police.

He recalled his past experiences of imprisonment during student protests and reiterated his readiness to face jail again if found guilty.

When questioned about potential pressure to join the BJP, Rawat affirmed his determination to fight back.

In a post on 'X' late Friday, he reiterated his disbelief in the allegations against Jeena but stressed that he does not want these claims to undermine the party's anti-corruption efforts.

The ED confirmed that the raids on Rawat's personal assistant were part of a broader investigation into money laundering related to alleged irregularities in a 2016 examination conducted by the State Services Selection Commission.

The ED's case, initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is based on multiple FIRs filed by the Uttarakhand Police and the Vigilance Bureau concerning irregularities in the Village Panchayat Development Officer examination.