Harish Rawat is a prominent Indian politician and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress (INC). He served as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2014 to 2017 and has been a Member of Parliament (MP) multiple times. With a career spanning decades, Rawat has played a key role in shaping the political landscape of Uttarakhand and has held various ministerial positions in the central government.
Early Life and Education
Harish Rawat was born on April 27, 1948, in a Kumaoni Rajput family in Almora, Uttarakhand. His parents, Rajendra Singh Rawat and Devki Devi, raised him in a humble environment. He completed his early education at GIC Chaunalia and later pursued a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Lucknow University.
Entry into Politics
Rawat started his political journey at the grassroots level, initially engaging in trade union activities and youth politics. He became a member of the Indian Youth Congress and later joined mainstream politics. His first major breakthrough came in 1980 when he won the Almora Lok Sabha seat, defeating BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi.
Rise in Politics
Harish Rawat was elected to the Lok Sabha three times consecutively in 1980, 1984, and 1989. During this period, he became an important figure in Congress and was known for his dedication to public welfare. He was also the head of the Congress Seva Dal, the volunteer wing of the party.
In 2002, Rawat was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Uttarakhand. He later contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Haridwar and won by a significant margin.
Union Ministerial Roles
Harish Rawat served in various ministerial capacities in the central government:
- Minister of State for Labour and Employment (2009-2011)
- Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries (2011-2012)
- Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs (2011-2012)
- Union Minister of Water Resources (2012-2014)
As the Union Minister of Water Resources, he played a crucial role in shaping water policies in India.
Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
In 2014, Rawat became the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand after Vijay Bahuguna resigned due to criticism over his handling of the 2013 Kedarnath floods. Rawat focused on rehabilitation efforts and infrastructure development in the state.
However, his tenure was marked by political instability. In 2016, nine Congress MLAs rebelled against him, leading to the imposition of President’s Rule. Later, the Supreme Court reinstated him as the Chief Minister after he won a trust vote.
In the 2017 Uttarakhand Assembly elections, Rawat led the Congress but faced a massive defeat against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He lost both the seats he contested—Haridwar Rural and Kichha.
Later Political Career
After the 2017 defeat, Rawat continued to be an active politician. He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar but lost to Ajay Bhatt of the BJP. In 2022, he contested the Lalkuan Assembly seat but was defeated again. Despite these setbacks, Rawat remains an influential leader in Uttarakhand politics.
Personal Life
Harish Rawat is married to Renuka Rawat, who is also a politician. The couple has three children.
Harish Rawat’s political journey is a testament to his resilience and dedication to public service. Despite facing political ups and downs, he continues to be a significant leader in Uttarakhand and the Congress party. His contributions to Indian politics, both at the state and national levels, remain noteworthy.
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