Harish Rawat asks Rahul Gandhi to lead Congress agitation over dismissal of Uttarakhand government

NEW DELHI: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today requested Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to lead the 'Loktantra Bachao, Uttarakhand Bachao' agitation against the dismissal of the party's government in the hill state.

Rawat, who met Gandhi to brief him about the political scenario in the state, told the Congress Vice President that his participation would enthuse party workers in Uttarakhand, who have launched an aggressive agitation against the Centre over the dismissal of the Rawat government.

Talking to reporters, Rawat said the party will organise a series of agitations to highlight how the Narendra Modi government is pursuing its 'Congress-mukt Bharat' agenda by "toppling democratically-elected party governments".

Congress has started the 'Loktantra Bachao, Uttarakhand Bachao' (Save Democracy, Save Uttarakhand) campaign to elicit the support of the people against BJP over the imposition of President's rule in the state.

Targeting the Modi government, Rawat said it was pursuing a policy of "combative federalism".

Rawat is learnt to have briefed Gandhi about the scenario for Congress if BJP chooses to form the government in Uttarakhand with support from the rebel MLAs or if the Assembly is dissolved immediately for holding fresh elections.