Harak Singh Rawat is a well-known politician from Uttarakhand, India. He has served in various important positions, including being a Cabinet Minister in the Uttarakhand government. Over the years, he has switched between different political parties, including the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His political journey is marked by many victories and controversies.
Early Life and Education
Harak Singh Rawat was born on December 15, 1960, in Srinagar, Uttarakhand. He completed his postgraduate degree in Arts in 1984. Later, in 1996, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Military Science from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University.
Political Career
Rawat has had a long and successful political career. He became the youngest minister in Uttar Pradesh in 1991 after winning the assembly election from Pauri. Later, he played a key role in the politics of Uttarakhand after it became a separate state.
Key Positions Held
- 1991: Won the assembly election from Pauri and became the youngest Tourism Minister in Uttar Pradesh.
- 1993: Re-elected as an MLA from Pauri Assembly.
- 1997: Appointed as Vice Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Khadi Gram Udyog Board.
- 2002: Elected as an MLA from Lansdowne and became a Cabinet Minister handling four departments – Revenue, Food & Civil Supplies, Disaster Management, and Rehabilitation.
- 2007: Re-elected from Lansdowne and became the Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly.
- 2012: Elected from Rudraprayag and became a Cabinet Minister in Uttarakhand.
- 2017: Won the election from Kotdwar and served as a Cabinet Minister in the Uttarakhand government.
- 2022: Expelled from BJP and later joined the Indian National Congress.
Role in Uttarakhand Politics
Rawat has been a strong leader in Uttarakhand, winning elections from multiple constituencies, including Pauri, Rudraprayag, Lansdowne, and Kotdwar. His influence in state politics is significant, and he has played a key role in government policies.
Controversies
Despite his success, Rawat has faced several controversies. One of the biggest allegations against him was related to illegal tree-cutting in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The Supreme Court of India held him and a divisional forest officer responsible for causing environmental damage.
He was also accused of protecting officials involved in corruption. In 2022, BJP expelled him for alleged anti-party activities, including demanding a party ticket for his daughter-in-law, Anukriti Gusain.
Electoral Performance
Harak Singh Rawat has contested and won multiple elections. Here is a summary of his electoral performance:
| Year | Election | Party | Constituency | Result | Votes | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Uttarakhand Assembly | INC | Lansdowne | Won | 8,914 | 34.45% |
| 2007 | Uttarakhand Assembly | INC | Lansdowne | Won | 12,899 | 41.97% |
| 2012 | Uttarakhand Assembly | INC | Rudraprayag | Won | 15,469 | 29.01% |
| 2017 | Uttarakhand Assembly | BJP | Kotdwar | Won | 39,859 | 56.06% |
Shift from BJP to Congress
In 2017, Rawat joined BJP and won the election from Kotdwar. However, in 2022, he was expelled due to internal conflicts. He then rejoined the Indian National Congress and campaigned for the party in the Uttarakhand elections.
Harak Singh Rawat is a senior leader with years of experience in politics. He has played an important role in the development of Uttarakhand and has held multiple leadership positions. However, his career has also been marked by controversies. Despite this, he remains a key political figure in the state.
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