The Hindu : Uttaranchal name may be changed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 25, 2002

National

National

Uttaranchal name may be changed
By C.K. Chandramohan

DEHRA DUN, FEB. 24. In the first-ever elections to the Uttaranchal State Assembly, the Congress was voted to power with an overwhelming majority. It won 36 out of the 70 seats.

Although the party had secured a majority, it would like MLAs from all like-minded secular parties or groups to be part of the Government. On assuming power, the Congress will first change the name of the State from Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand which was the name given to the region during the separate State agitation. Also, a State Legislative Council will be established soon to provide representation and participation in governance to unrepresented groups and experts.

The party's election manifesto that promised all-round development will be implemented as a time-bound programme, the State unit Congress president, Harish Rawat, said.

Although the mood at the Congress headquarters hinted at Mr. Rawat becoming the next Chief Minister, insiders pointed out the hurdles that might come his way from the Satpal Maharaj camp. In the event of a controversy between Mr. Rawat and Mr. Maharaj, the choice may be Vijay Bahguna who is seen as a leader with no lobbies supporting or opposing him.

Gloom seemed to have set into the BJP camp which till morning was confident of returning to power. The State BJP president, Puran Chand Sharma, attributed the ``unexpected'' poll outcome on the propaganda let loose by opponents and damage done by party rebels. ``We will now try to find out what went wrong and why and try to rebuild the party,'' he said.

Bhagat Singh Koshiary, who has won the Kapkot seat and ushered in the practice of trekking through the hills rather than going to the voters in cars seemed to be lost deep in introspection. ``Now we will play the role of a responsible Opposition and try to regain the confidence of the people,'' he said.

The verdict is more for development - roads, drinking water, education and employment opportunities nearer home rather than any State-level or national issue.

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