Politics · India Bureau
Rawat Steps Down from Congress Posts After ED Cash Recovery
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has resigned from all party positions following an Enforcement Directorate raid that recovered over Rs 32 lakh in cash and luxury watches from his personal assistant's residence.
LSN India ·
Harish Rawat, the senior Congress leader and former chief minister of Uttarakhand, announced his decision to step down from all organizational roles on Saturday. The move came after the Enforcement Directorate seized substantial cash and valuables during raids conducted on Thursday at the residence of his personal assistant, Chandan Singh Jeena.
The ED recovery included Rs 32 lakh in cash and a dozen high-end wristwatches from Jeena's premises. Jeena currently serves as Rawat's personal assistant and previously held the position of Officer on Special Duty during Rawat's tenure as chief minister between 2014 and 2017.
Rawat's decision to relinquish his party posts reflects the political implications of the ED action. The Congress veteran, who has served multiple terms in the Uttarakhand assembly and held the chief ministerial office during the previous tenure, did not immediately provide detailed comments regarding the seized assets or their source.
The raid and subsequent recovery have intensified scrutiny around Rawat's office and associates, coming at a time when several senior opposition leaders have faced similar investigations by central agencies. The development marks a significant development in Uttarakhand politics and Congress party hierarchy.