Kailash Gahtori resigns as Champawat MLA; CM Dhami to contest from this seat
BJP MLA Kailash Chandra Gahtori from Champawat assembly seat has submitted his resignation from the membership of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. He submitted his resignation to Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan. After deliberations at the level of the organization, a decision was taken on this subject on Wednesday. Gahtori had submitted a proposal to vacate the seat to the party’s state president Madan Kaushik.
On Thursday morning, BJP MLA from Champawat assembly seat Kailash Chandra Gahtori submitted his resignation to the Speaker at his official residence in Yamuna Colony. Which has been approved by the Speaker of the Assembly. During this, BJP State President Madan Kaushik, Cabinet Minister Chandan Ram Das, Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bahuguna, Organization General Secretary Ajay Kumar, MLA Khajan Das, Mayor Sunil Uniyal were present.
After this, the Speaker addressed the press and announced to accept the resignation of Kailash Chandra Gahtori. In the assembly elections, BJP came to power by winning 47 seats, but Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami lost the election from Khatima seat. The party trusted Dhami’s leadership and handed him the reins of power.
Gahtori had already announced to leave the seat for CM Dhami
As per rules CM Dhami has to get elected within six months after taking oath as CM. For this he has to contest bye-elections. Kailash Gahtori had already announced to vacate the seat for Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The Chief Minister had also indicated to contest the by-election from his seat. After meeting the central leaders in New Delhi a few days ago, the discussions about him contesting the by-election from Champawat had gained momentum. On Tuesday, Gahtori had also indicated to make a formal announcement in this regard after reaching Dehradun. On Wednesday, Gehtori reached Dehradun. Gehtori had met Chief Minister Dhami and party’s state president Madan Kaushik.
BJP won thrice in 5 elections
After the formation of the state, the BJP has won the Champawat assembly seat thrice in the five assembly elections held so far. Since the last two assembly elections, the saffron party has had a stronghold in the Champawat seat. In 2017, the BJP had fielded Kailash Gahtori, who registered a landslide victory with over 63 per cent votes. Gahtori was also victorious in the 2022 assembly elections. After the formation of the state, Himesh Kharkwal of Congress won from this seat in the first assembly elections in 2002. Then in this seat BJP was in third place. In 2007, Bina Maharana of BJP won the election from this seat. In 2012, Himesh Kharkwal of Congress again made a comeback. BJP’s Kailash Gahtori was victorious in the 2017 and 2022 elections.
