PDF keeps cards close to chest on 2017 poll strategy

DEHRADUN: The six-member Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) is keeping the ruling Congress party guessing about its poll strategy for the upcoming assembly elections. While it is certain that two BSP MLAs - Haridas from Jhabreda and Sarvat Karim Ansari from Manglaur - will contest under their party banner, mystery shrouds the candidature of four other MLAs. It is not yet known whether the three Independent lawmakers will contest as independent candidates again or under Congress tickets.Pritam Singh Panwar, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) MLA from Yamunotri, has also not laid his cards on the table.
PDF chief Mantri Prasad Naithani has confirmed that he would contest from Devprayag seat, which he won in 2012. But he has not divulged whether he will fight as an Independent or Congress candidate.
Talking to TOI, he said, “When we supported Congress in 2012, the party high command assured us that we could contest as Congress nominees or if we decided to fight as Independent candidates, the party would not field a candidate against us. We are optimistic that Congress will keep its commitment.”
Naithani said that the members of the alliance were busy with preparing for polls in their respective areas but will meet soon to finalise a strategy.
“We will soon finalise our strategy. It appears that there is still some time before the Election Commission announces the poll date,” he added.
Meanwhile, tourism minister Dinesh Dhanai has said that he would contest from Tehri seat. Dhanai had won the Tehri assembly seat in 2012, defeating Congress state chief Kishore Upadhyay. Dhanai has hinted that he would fight next elections as an independent candidate.
Independent MLA Harish Chandra Durgapal is considered close to chief minister Harish Rawat and the buzz is that he would contest 2017 polls on a Congress ticket.
The past few months have seen cracks appear in the Congress-PDF alliance. Party state chief Upadhyay has criticised PDF on various occasions for failing to clarify its stand for the 2017 elections. This had led the PDF chief to warn the Congress that "not a single word against the six-member political front by the ruling party members will be tolerated”. Upadhyay is believed to be anxious that if the PDF members do not contest under the party banner in the elections, it may harm Congress's chances in the elections as the PDF MLAs would claim credit for development work carried out in their assembly area.