Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat resigns, thanks party for giving opportunity to serve people

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday (March 9) resigned from the post.

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New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday (March 9) tendered his resignation after meeting the Governor of the state, Baby Rani Maurya, at Raj Bhawan in Dehradun.

Rawat addressed a press conference after the meeting. He thanked the party leadership for giving him the opportunity to serve the people.

"I have just tendered my resignation to the Governor," Rawat said addressing the media.

"The party gave me a golden opportunity to serve this state for four years. I had never thought that I would get such an opportunity. The party has now decided that the opportunity to serve as CM should be given to someone else now," he added.

He further said that the decision to pick the next CM would be taken at the BJP legislature party meeting which is scheduled to be held at 10 am on Wednesday at the party office.

He wished well for whoever assumes the top post. He did not name who would be replacing him.

Ajay Bhatt and Anil Baluni, two senior leaders from the state who are members of Parliament, are being seen as two other strong probables for the top post, said PTI.

The move comes amid speculations of change in leadership in the hill state. Rawat late met with BJP president JP Nadda at the latter's residence on Monday.

The same day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nadda, National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh discussed the political development in the state.

"After his meeting with central leadership yesterday in the national capital, it seems that BJP leadership has informed Rawat about a possible change of leadership in the Uttarakhand government. Now he might step down from the office," a senior party leader said earlier.

On Saturday, the BJP leadership sent former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Gautam as observers to meet state leaders and get feedback.