Pushkar Singh Dhami has been given a second term as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, the BJP announced after the legislature party meeting today. Though Mr Dhami lost his own seat, Khatima, the decision is seen as recognition for the 46-year-old who had spearheaded the party's campaign that led the party to a record second straight term in the hill state.
The announcement was made after the legislature party meeting in Dehradun, where the BJP's central observers for the state, Union minister Rajnath Singh and senior leader Meenakshi Lekhi were present.
Mr Dhami is on way to meet the Governor and stake claim to form government in the state.
Picked for the top post just months ago, Mr Dhami was the front-runner in the race, with many in the state party acknowledging his role in the election victory.
But with three other leaders in fray -- former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, and senior leader Satpal Maharaj -- a section within the party felt it was time for a change, especially in view of Mr Dhami's personal defeat in the election.
Sources, however, said Mr Dhami had the strong backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The decision to give him a second term had received the stamp of approval from PM Modi during yesterday's meeting to discuss government formation in the states, the sources added.
The reaffirmation of Mr Dhami is also seen as a way to keep at bay the growing factionalism in the state unit of the party. It was the challenge to maintain the balance that led to uncertainty about the top post since the declaration of election results on March 10.
Mr Dhami was made the Chief Minister in July last year after his predecessors Trivendra Singh Rawat and Tirath Singh Rawat came under a lot of criticism over their leadership.
It is believed that the party opted for him to counter the Congress and its former Chief Minister Harish Rawat in Kumaon. Mr Dhami is a two-time MLA from the region.
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