U’khand CM Harish Rawat rubbishes BJP claims

Reacting to BJP’s Nirmala Sitharaman allegations of liquor scam by Uttarakhand’s Congress government, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat told <g data-gr-id="37">mediapersons</g> here on Wednesday that the charges were baseless.

He told reporters, “I came to know of this episode from news channels. All the charges by BJP are baseless. There is no role of private players in the state’s liquor policy. So, there is no question of asking private liquor parties for any favour. We will check the veracity of the CD by sending it for forensic tests. Only then, we can say anything on this matter.”

He added, “If charges are proved, then state government is going to take strict action against the culprits,” he told reporters. The matter will be examined by the state police, the chief minister said and ruled out immediate action against any official.

Meanwhile, Opposition BJP demanded resignation of Chief Minister Harish Rawat on the issue. 

Leader of Opposition in Uttarakhand assembly Ajay Bhatt said, “It has now come to the open the clandestine dealings between the state government and liquor mafia. The culprits should immediately be suspended and probe be initiated.”