Pushkar Singh
Dhami will be the next chief minister of Uttarakhand. Dhami was chosen to lead
the state at a meeting of the Uttarakhand BJP on Saturday.
Dhami’s elevation
to the chief minister’s post comes a day after Tirath Singh Rawat resigned from
the post in a bid to avert a potential constitutional crisis which would have occurred
if Rawat had continued as CM till September 10.
Here are five
reasons why Dhani finds himself in the top post set to lead the state till the
assembly elections next year:
Proximity to BJP
leadership
The
45-year-old legislator from Khatima constituency from the state’s Kumaon region
is considered close to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and former chief
minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
Sway with
youth
A two-time MLA and
an advocate by profession, Dhami is considered to have a sway with young
voters. Dhami has also served as the president of BJP youth wing of the state.
Also Read | Tirath Rawat’s exit: Only one U’khand CM served a full term in last 20 years
RSS support
While Tirath Singh Rawat’s controversial comments did
not always go down well with the rank and file of the Sangh Parivar, his
predecessor Trivendra Singh Rawat too had few fans within the RSS. However, Pushkar
Singh Dhami is said to enjoy support of the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Constitutional
crisis averted
Tirath Singh
Rawat had to resign on Friday because he was not an elected member of the state
legislature. Dhami, an MLA, is a safe bet and should be able to lead the state
till the assembly elections next year in Uttarakhand which has seen three chief
ministers in the last four months.
Also Read | List of all chief ministers of Uttarakhand
Caste equations
Former chief minister
Trivendra Singh Rawat was accused by regional BJP leaders of causing regional
and caste imbalances in the state. A section of BJP workers had claimed that
the Thakur community was under-represented in the cabinet. Dhami’s elevation is
expected to help garner support for the BJP from this politically powerful
community.
