After Harish Rawat refers to her as 'Babli', Rekha Arya calls him 'Kursi Kumar'

Dehradun: After Congress leader Harish Rawat referred to her as 'Babli', Uttarakhand minister Rekha Arya Thursday hit back at him, calling him 'Kursi Kumar' and a political chameleon who would even go to the extent of sacrificing monkeys and buffaloes to save his position.

In a social media post on Wednesday, former chief minister Rawat targeted Arya and her husband, Girdhari Lal Sahu, referring to them as the 'Bunty Babli duo' and remarked that if 'Babli' possesses assets worth Rs 210 crore, "one can only imagine the extent of the wealth held by 'Bunty'."

In the film "Bunty Aur Babli", both the protagonists use fake identities to trick people for money.

Rawat alleged that the assets held by Arya and her husband were the proceeds of corruption, accusing the couple of amassing illegal wealth.

Sahu was arrested last week on his wife's complaint over allegations including fraud, assault and murder conspiracy.

After Rawat targetted her, Arya wrote a lengthy post on social media where she addressed Rawat using labels such as 'Dennis Baba', political chameleon, 'Kursi Kumar', and 'Jhuthacharya' among other names.

Advising Rawat, she mentioned in her post, "... At your age, you seem intent on showing the Congress that by imitating Modi-ji, you have become just like him. But remember: A jackal does not become a lion simply by wearing a lion's skin."

Arya also levelled several allegations, citing political developments during Rawat's tenure as chief minister, including the 'Dennis' episode, the Nainisar land dispute, and issues related to mining.

She further claimed that, in order to save his position as chief minister, Rawat would even go to the extent of sacrificing monkeys and buffaloes.

Responding to the 'Dennis' liquor issue, Rawat on Thursday said if the Pushkar Singh Dhami government deems it appropriate, it should conduct an investigation into the period - spanning three to four months - during which the 'Dennis' brand dominated liquor shops.

"Yes, I am indeed 'guilty' of the decision to integrate the state's liquor policy with its horticultural policy," he said, adding he had mandated that any liquor manufacturing company utilizing fruits, vegetables, or sugarcane from Uttarakhand in their distillation process would be granted marketing rights for 20 per cent of their sales in the market. Rawat said it was a direct result of his policy decision that two of the state's sugar mills - which were on the verge of closure (including the one in Laksar) - became profitable, a benefit that ultimately reached the farmers.

In her post, Arya also asked Rawat to exercise restraint on his language. She noted that she had advised him five years ago to live his later years in peace, but it seems he has failed to grasp that advice.

"... I am mindful of your age and will refrain from using harsh language. I had hoped that, at this stage in your life - being a grandfather yourself - you might empathize with the suffering of a 'daughter of the mountains'. You chose to focus on the Rs 210 crore rather than the pain of a daughter. But then again, that is simply your nature; how could someone who deals in 'top-ups' ever understand any pain other than that related to money," Arya said.

She further said that Rawat "begins to drool at the mere sight of the chief minister's chair and when even his own party no longer takes him seriously due to this insatiable greed..."

For the term 'Babli', Arya said, "It seems you've forgotten that you yourself have been married more than once; and if your own 'Bablies' are addressed with this term, then how would you feel... Why would you even be offended? You cast aside all sense of shame long ago...," said Arya.

Responding to this, Rawat said he is making a formal request for his and his family's safety - "assets of 'Babliyas' should be investigated as well".

"First, my 'babliyas' should be identified, and then their assets should be probed. It is worth mentioning that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is already investigating my assets," said Rawat.

Addressing allegation of corruption against her, Arya said Rawat is talking about corruption "based on a video, no less".

"Since when did you start lecturing on 'moral courage' after watching a video? Why don't you take a look at your own videos? In one, your secretary is heard discussing a change in state departmental policy - mentioning a large sum of money to be collected in Delhi, assuring someone that "everything is settled with the chief minister", she alleged.

"If you don't have a copy of that video, I'll be happy to send you one! Is that how you earned the nickname 'Dennis Baba' in this state," she asked.

Arya further said that whenever the topic of corruption came up during Rawat's tenure as chief minister, he would say, "No ledgers, no accounts - whatever Harish Rawat says is the absolute truth."

"This arrogance didn't just bring you down; it dragged the entire Congress party down with you," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Mathrubhumi and is published from a syndicated feed.)