Harish Rawat Offers to Quit Congress Posts After ED Raid on Aide Chandan Singh Jeena

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat on Saturday announced that he would step down from two organisational positions in the party following an Enforcement Directorate (ED) search at the residence of his personal assistant, Chandan Singh Jeena.

Rawat said he did not want anything associated with him to weaken Congress's ongoing political fight against corruption. He offered to relinquish his position on the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee executive as well as his role as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee at the national level.

Why Harish Rawat Offered to Resign

Rawat said he was not holding any government position, so there was no government office from which he could resign. However, he chose to give up his organisational responsibilities to prevent the controversy surrounding his aide from affecting the party.

The former chief minister said the decision was taken after reports emerged about the ED's search and alleged recovery of cash and valuables from Jeena's residence.

Rawat has also defended Jeena, saying he does not currently believe the allegations against his former aide. At the same time, he said that if the allegations were established and Jeena was found to have been involved in wrongdoing, it would be a matter of shame.

What the ED Found During the Search

The ED conducted searches in Dehradun as part of a money laundering investigation connected to alleged irregularities in the 2016 Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari recruitment examination conducted by the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC).

According to the agency, ₹32 lakh in cash and a dozen luxury wristwatches were seized from Jeena's premises. Reports also said gold and other valuables were recovered during the operation.

Jeena is currently working as Rawat's personal assistant. He previously served as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) during Rawat's tenure as Uttarakhand chief minister between 2014 and 2017.

UKSSSC Recruitment Exam Case

The ED investigation relates to alleged manipulation and irregularities in the 2016 UKSSSC examination for the post of Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari.

The agency's latest searches reportedly covered several people linked to the recruitment process, including former UKSSSC officials, the owner of a private agency involved in processing OMR answer sheets and alleged middlemen.

The money laundering probe stems from earlier cases registered by Uttarakhand authorities concerning the alleged recruitment irregularities.

Political Impact in Uttarakhand

Rawat's decision comes at a politically sensitive time for Uttarakhand, with the controversy likely to put additional pressure on Congress ahead of the next Assembly election.

The veteran Congress leader has sought to separate himself from the allegations while simultaneously taking responsibility for protecting the party's image. His decision to leave the two posts does not amount to an admission of wrongdoing, and the ED investigation remains ongoing.

Rawat has also questioned the circumstances surrounding the action and suggested that the developments could be used to create a political narrative against him and Congress.

Key Takeaways

• Harish Rawat has offered to step down from two Congress organisational positions.
• The decision follows an ED search at the residence of his aide Chandan Singh Jeena.
• The ED said ₹32 lakh in cash and 12 luxury watches were seized during the searches.
• The investigation concerns alleged irregularities in the 2016 UKSSSC Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari examination.
• Jeena previously served as Rawat's OSD when he was Uttarakhand chief minister.
• Rawat has defended his aide while saying he does not want the controversy to weaken Congress's anti-corruption campaign.

Why This Matters

Harish Rawat's decision adds a significant political dimension to the ongoing UKSSSC recruitment case. By offering to leave key Congress positions, the veteran leader is attempting to prevent the ED action against his former aide from becoming a broader liability for the party. The development could also intensify political exchanges in Uttarakhand as Congress and the BJP prepare for the next electoral battle.