2019 could see political change: Rawat

Dehradun: Senior Uttarakhand Congress leader Harish Rawat has expressed hope that 'Uttarayani' which marks the transition of seasons will also herald a political change in the Lok Sabha elections.

Following his defeat in the last year state polls from the Kichha and Haridwar Rural assembly seats, the former chief minister has been devoting time to his new assignment as Congress's general secretary in-charge of Assam and connecting with the people.

During an interaction with reporters at an event here Saturday, Rawat drew an analogy between the change of season marked by Uttarayani and the political changeover that might be awaiting the country this year.

Uttarayani marks the movement of the sun from the southern to the northern hemisphere, marking the end of winters and occurs before Makar Sankranti.

"I hope Uttarayani which marks the birth of a new sun as it begins moving northwards also heralds the emergence of a new sun on the political firmament in 2019," the veteran Congress leader told reporters here.

With the Lok Sabha polls round the corner, Rawat, who enjoys a reputation of a mass leader, has been hosting events to promote local produce.

But, political observers claimed he has been trying to provide platforms to state Congress heavyweight to connect with the electorate.

On December 30, Rawat had hosted a event to promote, lemons, tea and jaggery, and vegetables like kachri and malta.

During a mushroom-kichri event on Saturday, he had invited and felicitated Divya Rawat, who was made the brand ambassador of Uttarakhand's mushroom during the Congress leaders tenure as chief minister.

In July last year, Harish Rawat had thrown a mango party here which was also attended Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.