BJP MP Calls Aggarwal's 'Pahadi' Remark 'Painful', Fuels Speculation Over His Removal From Uttarakhand Cabinet

BJP MP from Pauri Garhwal Anil Baluni described Aggarwal's outburst in the Assembly as "very painful and unfortunate", adding that he had raised the matter in proper forums.

The speculation surrounding the possible removal of Uttarakhand Minister Prem Chand Aggarwal from the state Cabinet has gained further momentum after BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni called his recent remarks against people from the hill areas as "painful and unfortunate".

Baluni, who is also the BJP MP from Pauri Garhwal, described Aggarwal's outburst in the Assembly as "very painful and unfortunate", adding that he had raised the matter in proper forums.

"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 told news agency PTI on the sidelines of a programme in Kotdwar on Friday.

Aggarwal had stoked a controversy with his remark during the budget session of the House late last month, leaving people from the state's hill areas in anger. His comment also trigerred protests and burning of his effigies in the state.

A recent protest took place on Thursday in Uttarakhand's summer capital Gairsain, where both men and women from the hill districts of Kumaon and Garhwal divisions, conducted a rally demanding Aggarwal's removal from the cabinet.

They protested with placards in their hands and were wearing skullcaps which said "Mai Hoon Pahadi". The pople had converged for a rally on the call of Pahad Swabhiman Manch, PTI reported.

The rally witnessed participation from Rudraprayag, Pauri, Tehri and Uttarkashi in the Garhwal region and Almora, Bageshwar and Nainital in the Kumaon region.

Aggarwal's Controversial 'Pahadi' Remark

Prem Chand Aggarwal, a former Assembly speaker, holds key portfolios, including finance and parliamentary affairs, in the Pushkar Singh Dhami government. During the budget session last month, Congress MLA Madan Bisht directed a comment towards Aggarwal to which he reacted angrily and said he had not fought for Uttarakhand's statehood to witness a day when a dichotomy would be made between 'pahadi' and 'desi'.

His statement suggested that Uttarakhand was not created soleley for the 'pahadis', following which the BJP even reprimanded him, cautioning him to exercise restraint and maintain discipline while making public statements.

Aggarwal's remark led to widespread backlash, after which he expressed regret for the offence caused due to his remark and apologised in the state assembly.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's sudden departure for Delhi, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return from Mukhwa and Harsil in Uttarkashi disrict on Thursday, also added to the speculation about Agarwal's possible removal from the Cabinet

According to a PTI report, Dhami is believed to have met several BJP leaders in Delhi to discuss the recent developments after Aggarwal's assembly episode, which caused embarrassment to the party.