Bahuguna assures to bring back U'khand on development path

Dehradun, Mar 13 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Tuesday said the Congress Party has always worked on development issues, and added that a lot of work is to be done in the next five years.

"Congress continuously talks about development. We had laid the foundation here from 2002 to 2007, but there was no development here in the last five years. We have promised in our election manifesto that we will take the backward areas, the inaccessible areas and the rural areas ahead on the path of development. A lot has to be done. I have taken oath today," said Bahuguna.

When asked to comment on the rift within the party, he said: ""Our central leadership will address all issues and we will form a strong government in the state. It's a family matter that would be resolved soon."

Bahuguna, the Member of Parliament representing Tehri Garhwal, was sworn in as the chief minister of Uttarakhand earlier this evening.

The mutiny in Uttarakhand Congress, however, was quite visible today, as only 10 out of the 32 MLAs attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bahuguna.

Bahuguna, 65, was the lone minister to take the oath of office and secrecy at a brief ceremony at the Parade Ground in Dehradun.

Governor Margaret Alva administered the oath of office to Vijay Bahuguna, son of late Congress leader Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, at the function.

Harish Rawat, who was seen as a frontrunner for the Uttarakhand chief minister's post, had earlier offered to resign from the cabinet following Bahuguna's selection for the top post.

According to reports, Rawat sent his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He had also written to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, saying that he would prefer to work as a party worker.

In the 70-member Assembly, Congress had emerged as the largest party with 32 MLAs and has the support of three independent MLAs and one from UKD. The Bahujan Samaj Party, having strength of three members, has pledged its unconditional support to Congress, raising its tally to 39. (ANI)