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Harish Rawat Resigns From Congress Posts After ED Action Against Former Aide
Haripriya 12 Sept 2026 3 min read 132 views
Harish Rawat Steps Down From Congress Posts
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat announced on Saturday that he was stepping down from the executive of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee and as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee.
His decision came a day after the Enforcement Directorate reported searches linked to alleged irregularities in the 2016 Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari recruitment examination.
The development has created a fresh political controversy in Uttarakhand and could have implications for the Congress's strategy ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
ED Action Linked to Recruitment Case
According to the Enforcement Directorate, searches were conducted at multiple locations in Dehradun on September 10 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
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The investigation relates to alleged irregularities in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission's 2016 Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari examination. The agency said that irregularities allegedly involved manipulation of OMR answer sheets and the involvement of a private computer agency.
One of the people whose premises were searched was Chandan Singh Jeena, who had served as an Officer on Special Duty to Rawat when he was Chief Minister.
Rawat Rejects Allegations of Wrongdoing
Rawat has rejected the allegations against his former aide and questioned the political implications of the investigation.
He said he did not want the controversy surrounding an associate to weaken the Congress's position on corruption and governance.
Rawat also referred to the large number of government recruitments carried out during his tenure and said that if mistakes had occurred, he was prepared to accept responsibility for them.
The party now has to balance its response to the investigation with its broader campaign against corruption and governance issues. The controversy could also provide the BJP with an opportunity to attack the opposition over alleged irregularities during the previous Congress government.
For Congress, maintaining organisational unity and protecting its public image will be important as the 2027 election approaches.
BJP and Congress Prepare for Future Contest
The latest controversy comes at a time when Political Parties (opens in a new tab) in Uttarakhand are beginning to position themselves for the next Assembly election.
The BJP is likely to highlight governance and corruption-related issues as part of its political messaging, while Congress is expected to challenge the ruling government on employment, development and other public concerns.
The investigation involving Rawat's former aide could therefore become part of a wider electoral narrative.
Recruitment and Employment Remain Key Issues
Government recruitment has consistently remained an important issue in Uttarakhand because thousands of young people depend on competitive examinations for public-sector employment.
Any allegations of examination irregularities can therefore generate significant public concern.
The controversy could lead to renewed demands for stronger recruitment procedures, transparent examinations and greater accountability within government recruitment agencies.
What Happens Next?
The ED investigation is continuing, and further developments could determine the political impact of the case.
Rawat's resignation from Congress positions is unlikely to end the controversy immediately. Instead, the issue could remain part of Uttarakhand Politics as parties prepare for the 2027 Assembly election.
For Congress, the immediate challenge will be to respond to the allegations while maintaining its focus on employment, governance and public accountability.
“Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has stepped down from key Congress positions following an Enforcement Directorate investigation involving his former aide in an alleged recruitment examination irregularities case. Rawat said the decision was intended to protect the Congress's anti-corruption image ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections.”
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