Amid continued protests in the state and disagreements among BJP leaders over his statements on ‘paharis’, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Premchand Aggarwal announced his resignation Sunday.
Addressing the Assembly during the Budget Session on February 21, Aggarwal fuelled the ‘pahari versus outsiders’ debate when he wondered if Uttarakhand was meant only for people from the hills.
“Is this why we sacrificed? Is Uttarakhand just for people in the hills? And, who is in the hills? Some came from Madhya Pradesh while a few others from Rajasthan. You are dividing people into Kumaon, Garhwal, pahari and desi. Will you object only because I am Aggarwal?” the finance minister had said. This was met with widespread protests across the state, with civil society and Opposition parties burning his effigies, carrying out a “funeral procession”, and demanding his resignation.
BJP MP Anil Baluni also expressed displeasure at his remarks. “The entire matter has been very painful and unfortunate. I am the party’s chief spokesperson, and I have to maintain decorum. But I have performed my duty by raising the matter strongly in proper forums,” Baluni had said this month.
BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt also ran into trouble after he called people in Gairsain protesting against Aggarwal “sadak chaap” (loafer). As pressure mounted, Aggarwal was forced to tender his resignation.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, before meeting the CM, Aggarwal announced his resignation, teary-eyed. “As an andolankari (agitator), it has come to a point where I have to prove what I have done for the state. When six agitators were killed in Mussoorie, I reached the spot on a motorcycle. A journalist told me to leave, but I asked him how I could leave when my six companions had become martyrs,” Aggarwal said, breaking down.
He said, “He told me the police will either kill me in an encounter or slap me with the NSA. I am telling you because in this movement for a separate state, I have faced lathis. I have a photo from the time where police are raining blows on me while I lie on the ground. I don’t have to tell you why such a person is being made the target today. The statements of an andolankari have been twisted.”
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“It is my wish that my state progresses, and I am ready to give anything to see that,” he said.
Last month, as things got heated on the floor of the House, Speaker Ritu Khanduri, in an emotional response, said: “We had to wage a movement for the state. People fought for it, and after that, we have to experience such fights repeatedly,” she said. This was also met with ire as it was seen as a defence for Aggarwal.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni said that the resignation of the cabinet minister was a victory for Uttarakhand and “Uttarakhandiyat”.
“However, it has come late. Aggarwal gave the statement on February 21 and almost a month has passed. Neither the party nor the government has taken any action and let the anger of the people be. We are innocent people and endure several things, but this time, he crossed a line. Prem Chand Aggarwal’s justification and statements on his role in the movement for the state cannot justify his comments against the hill dwellers of the state,” she said.
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Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) state secretary Indresh Maikhuri said that if the BJP leadership had even the slightest regret over the use of “unparliamentary language” by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister inside the Assembly, they would have taken immediate action against him.
“The delay in addressing this issue indicates that, had there been no public pressure, the BJP would have had no objections to its minister’s disgraceful conduct. Aggarwal should not be allowed to escape accountability simply by resigning. All his assets must be investigated. His role in cases of illegal constructions on forest land and felling of protected tree species must be examined,” he added.
Aggarwal is not new to controversy. In 2023, a video had gone viral on social media showing him punching men in Rishikesh over an argument. More recently, a Primary Offence Report was filed against his son for alleged illegal tree felling.
