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Shahid K Abbas in New Delhi
Veteran politician Narain Dutt Tiwari was chosen on Wednesday by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to head the party's government in Uttaranchal.
The decision, which has come as a body blow to Uttaranchal Congress chief Harish Rawat, who was emerging as the frontrunner for the post, was taken a day after the newly elected legislators authorised Gandhi to choose their leader.
All-India Congress Committee general secretaries Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ambika Soni, who had been deputed to sort out the leadership issue, had on Tuesday submitted their report to the high command.
AICC secretary Satpal Maharaj, who was also lobbying for the top slot claiming the support of more than a dozen MLAs, expressed happiness at Tiwari's selection.
Indira Hridayesh and Vijay Bahugana, the other two claimants for the post, have also supported Tiwari and were present at the press conference to announce his selection.
Briefing reporters after meeting Gandhi, Tiwari said he would fulfil the aspirations of the people of the new state. "Under the recommendations of the Tenth Planning Commission, we will try to shape the economy of the state and fulfil the aspirations of the people who were frustrated during the last regime," he said.
Tiwari said he would take the oath of office and secrecy in the next two or three days and then form his Cabinet in consultation with the high command.
When asked about Rawat's absence at the press conference, Ghulam Nabi said the Uttaranchal leader was with them when they met Gandhi and could be on his way.
Meanwhile, the strength of the Congress Legislature Party in Uttaranchal has increased with two independent MLAs joining the party. Also, the four-member Uttarakhand Kranti Dal legislature party has extended unconditional support to the Congress, Azad said.
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