Sunday, 04 April 2021 | Gajendra Singh Negi | Dehradun
In all likelihood the former NIM principal would be the CM candidate of AAP
Known for his major role in Kedarnath reconstruction after the disaster of 2013, colonel (retd) Ajay Kothiyal is soon expected to take a plunge in politics of the state. A decorated soldier, Kothiyal has reportedly made up his mind to join the Aam Adami Party (AAP) and in all likelihood would be its chief ministerial candidate. Kothiyal gave a hint of his future plans on the social media platform on Saturday by stating that he would soon take a major decision (social/ political). In his post he said that he was moved by the statement of a differently abled youth working in a cafe and has decided to take a major decision. “This 23 year old youth walks on crutches but works with enthusiasm. He told me what the people of Uttarakhand expect from me. His question and passion has prompted me to take a major decision,’’ Kothiyal wrote on Facebook.
Though Kothiyal is yet to disclose his political plans but it is learnt that he would soon join the AAP in Uttarakhand. The party which is working hard in the state is likely to project him as its chief ministerial candidate. “Kothiyal would join the party before April 15. He is a known face and enjoys a very good reputation. Apart from being a decorated soldier his work in training youngsters for recruitment in armed forces is appreciated by everyone. He would be a great asset for the party,’’ said a leader of AAP on the condition of anonymity.
It is worth mentioning here that earlier, the state in charge of the AAM in Uttarakhand, Dinesh Mohaniya in an online interaction with The Pioneer had claimed that the party would project a person with a clean image as chief ministerial candidate in Uttarakhand. “The person would be someone who every Uttarakhandi would be proud of,’’ Mohaniya had said.
Kothiyal was the principal of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) at the time of Kedarnath disaster. His work in reconstruction of the shrine earned him wide acclaim. The Youth Foundation, an organisation founded by him is working in training youngsters for armed forces and in the last few years thousands of young men trained by the foundation have joined the army and para military forces of the country.
