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Premchand Aggarwal’s remarks on the people from the hilly regions sparked massive row, pushing the BJP government in Uttarakhand on a backfoot.
Premchand Aggarwal resigns (PTI File Image)
Uttarakhand Finance Minister Premchand Aggarwal stepped down from his position on Sunday, weeks after his remarks on the people from hill regions sparked a row, pushing the ruling BJP on backfoot.
His resignation came after a massive row erupted following his speech in the state Budget Session, during which he criticised the people of the hills and asserted that the state does not belong exclusively to the ‘pahadis’ (hill residents).
The Pushkar Singh Dhami government faced massive backlash from the Opposition, which accused the BJP of neglecting and abusing the local residents.
According to an official statement, Aggarwal submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his official residence.
During the Budget session in February, Aggarwal reacted sharply to a remark from Congress MLA Madan Bisht, asserting that he had not fought for Uttarakhand’s statehood only to witness a divide between ‘pahadi’ (hill residents) and ‘desi’.
Amid his heated exchange with Opposition MLAs, Aggarwal used an objectionable term, further fueling public outrage, particularly among the hill communities.
Following the backlash, the Minister expressed regret for his remark, while the BJP’s state leadership summoned him and urged him to exercise restraint.
(With PTI inputs)
- Location :
Dehradun, India, India
