Uttarakhand Finance Minister resigns after criticizing hill people

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Finance Minister Premchand Aggarwal has resigned, following protests by the hill people of the state. Agarwal had made derogatory remarks about the hill people in the assembly a few weeks ago. He submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The controversial remark was made during the budget session of the assembly. Agarwal insulted the hill people while angrily replying to a remark made against him by Congress MLA Madan Bisht. He made remarks that Uttarakhand is not only for the hill people.

'Did we fight for the state of Uttarakhand to fight like this? Is this what we sacrificed for? Is Uttarakhand only for the hill people? Who live in the hills? Some have come from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. You are dividing the people into Kumaon, Garhwal, hill people and nationals. You are making bad remarks while sitting next to senior leaders. Are you objecting because I am an Aggarwal? This is not right.' This is what Premchand Aggarwal said, the Indian Express reported.

A huge protest was later raised against the minister. The opposition party Congress had also held a 'sava yatra' (mock funeral procession) as part of the protest. After the BJP state leadership summoned Premchand Aggarwal, he expressed regret for his remarks. However, Aggarwal was resigning from the ministry after the protests continued strongly.