Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil at 07:57, 11 February 2026

2026-02-11T07:57:22Z

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{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Dr. Harak Singh Rawat
| image = Harak Singh Rawat Ex Minister Uttarakhand.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|12|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand|Srinagar]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]
| residence = [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]]
| office1 = [[Government of Uttarakhand|Cabinet Minister to the Government of Uttarakhand]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businessworld.in/article/Cabinet-Minister-of-Uttarakhand-Dr-Harak-Singh-Rawat-inaugurates-50-bedded-make-shift-hospital-in-Kumbhmela2021/04-04-2021-385576/|title= Cabinet Minister Of Uttarakhand Dr Harak Singh Rawat Inaugurates 50 Bedded Make-Shift Hospital In Kumbh mela 2021|website= Business World|language=en |access-date=2021-04-04}}</ref>
| term_start1 = March 2017
| term_end1 = January 2022
| 1blankname1 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata1 = [[Trivendra Singh Rawat]]<br>[[Tirath Singh Rawat]]<br>[[Pushkar Singh Dhami]]
| office2 = [[Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly|Member of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency2 = [[Kotdwar (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Kotdwar]]
| term_start2 = 2017
| term_end2 = January 2022
| otherparty = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] {{small|(2017- 16 Jan 2022)}} ((until 1998))
| party = [[Indian National Congress]] {{small|(1998- 2017 and 2022-present)}}
}}

'''Dr. Harak Singh Rawat''' (born 15 December 1960) is a prominent political leader of the [[Uttarakhand]] state in India. He is a member of [[Indian National Congress]] after being expelled from the BJP in 2022.<ref>[http://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/States/uttranchal/lop.htm Dr. Harak Singh Rawat, M.L.A.]</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120720173205/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-10/india/31142974_1_mlas-clp-leader-harish-rawat Congress struggles to find chief minister in Uttarakhand]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rawat booked in a Case|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/02/uttarakhand-minister-Dr.-harak-singh-rawat-booked-in-molestation-case/|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|access-date=25 February 2014}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He became the youngest Minister of [[Uttar Pradesh]] State in the year 1991 and also won assembly election from [[Pauri]] as a member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. He has also won as an MLA from Rudraprayag, Lansdowne and Kotdwar and is one of the few leaders in the state with a wide appeal in a large area. He unsuccessfully contested as a candidate of [[Indian National Congress]] from [[Garhwal (Lok Sabha constituency)|Garhwal]] in [[2014 Indian general election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uttarakhand-assembly-elections-2022-Dr.-harak-singh-rawat-not-to-contest-state-polls-2315136|title= Dr. Harak Singh Rawat Not To Contest 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly Polls|website= NDTV|language=en |access-date=2020-10-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/watch-uttarakhand-minister-Dr.-harak-singh-rawat-fights-forest-fires-with-shrub-as-camera-rolls-2407470|title= Watch: Uttarakhand Minister Fights Forest Fire With Shrub As He's Filmed|website= NDTV|language=en |access-date=2021-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newstrack.com/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-news-chief-minister-bjp-meeting-Dr.-harak-singh-rawat-dhan-singh-rawat-275025|title= उत्तराखंड में भाजपा की कमान किसे, सीएम तो कोई रावत ही बनेगा|website= News Track|language=hi |access-date=2021-07-03}}</ref> He was expelled from BJP and the Cabinet led by [[Pushkar Singh Dhami]] stating that he has indulged in anti-party activities as he was demanding ticket for the [[Uttarakhand]] Assembly Elections 2022. He later joined Congress in the presence of former Uttarakhand CM [[Harish Rawat]].

== Early life and education ==

Rawat completed postgraduate work in arts in 1984 and earned his [[Doctor of Philosophy]] in Military Science from [[Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University]], Srinagar, [[Uttarakhand]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://myneta.info/ls2014/candidate.php?candidate_id=8585|title= DR. HARAK SINGH RAWAT GARHWAL (UTTARAKHAND) information|publisher=myneta.info}}</ref>

==Controversies==

Supreme Court of India held Mr Rawat and divisional forest officer(DFO) Kishan Chand responsible for felling of thousands of trees in Corbett Tiger Reserve and causing damage to the environment. It said “In blatant disregard of the law and for commercial purposes the then forest minister and DFO Kishan Chand indulged in illicit felling of trees on a mass scale to construct buildings on pretext of tourism promotion". The Supreme Court further directed the state government to restore the forest back to its original condition and recoup the costs from the minister and the DFO .

Mr. Rawat has also been accused of protecting the DFO by giving him postings against the forest secretary recommendation of suspending him due to irregularities allegations against the DFO in his prior postings.

==Politics==
* In 2017 elected from Kotdwara [[Uttarakhand]] Vidhan Sabha<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hillmail.in/Dr.-harak-singh-rawat-offered-his-vidhan-sabha-seat-to-cm-tirath-singh-rawat-but/|title= हरक सिंह रावत ने CM तीरथ को कोटद्वार सीट की ऑफर, पर बदले में…|website= Hill Mail|language=hi |access-date=2021-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-minister-Dr.-harak-singh-rawat-says-if-he-stay-minister-mla-or-not-hospital-will-established-in-kotdwar|title=मैं बहुत जिद्दी हूं, विधायक-मंत्री रहूं या न रहूं, जनता के लिए कोटद्वार में अस्पताल बनेगा - हरक सिंह रावत|website=Amar Ujala|language=hi|access-date=2021-01-02}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* In 2012 elected from Rudraprayag Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha
* In 2007 elected as Leader of opposition Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legislativebodiesinindia.gov.in/States/uttranchal/lop.htm|title=Dr. Harak Singh Rawat, M.L.A. from 32- Lansdowne Vidhan Sabha Uttarakhand|publisher=legislativebodiesinindia.gov.in|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-date=14 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514181432/http://legislativebodiesinindia.gov.in/States/uttranchal/lop.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In 2007 was re-elected from Lansdowne Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha
* In 2002 after winning from Lansdowne Constituency was designated Cabinet Minister of four departments – Revenue, Food & Civil Supplies, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation
* In 2002 was elected as MLA from 32 Lansdowne Vidhan Sabha Constituency
* In 1997 was appointed member of Uttar Pradesh Congress Working Committee
* From 1997–present member of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee
* In 1997 was appointed vice-chairman (Equivalent to Cabinet Minister Rank) in Uttar Pradesh Khadi Gram Udyog Board
* In 1993 was re-elected as M.L.A. from Pauri Assembly
* From 1991 to 1993 was youngest Tourism Minister in U.P.
* In 1991 won assembly election from Pauri and became youngest Minister of U.P. State

== Positions held ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Description
|-
| 1991–1993
| Elected to [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly|11th Uttar Pradesh Assembly]] from [[Pauri (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Pauri Assembly]] (1st term)
* Minister of State for Tourism, [[Government of Uttar Pradesh]] {{small|(19 July 1991 - 6 Dec 1992)}}
|-
| 1993–1995
| Elected to [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly|12th Uttar Pradesh Assembly]] from [[Pauri (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Pauri Assembly]] (2nd term)
|-
| 2002–2007
| Elected to [[First Uttarakhand Assembly|1st Uttarakhand Assembly]] from [[Lansdowne (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Lansdowne Assembly]] (3rd term)
* Cabinet Minister
|-
| 2007–2012
| Elected to [[Second Uttarakhand Assembly|2nd Uttarakhand Assembly]] from [[Lansdowne (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Lansdowne Assembly]] (4th term)
* Leader of Opposition
|-
| 2012–2017
| Elected to [[3rd Uttarakhand Assembly]] from [[Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Rudraprayag Assembly]] (5th term)
* Cabinet Minister
|-
| 2017–2022
| Elected to [[4th Uttarakhand Assembly]] from [[Kotdwar (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Kotdwar Assembly]] (6th term)
* Cabinet Minister
|}

== Electoral Performances ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Election
!colspan="2"|Party
!Constituency Name
!Result
!Votes gained
!Vote share%
!Margin
!Ref
|-
|[[1989 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1989]]
|10th Uttar Pradesh Assembly
| rowspan="3" style="background-color: {{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |
| rowspan="3" |[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] 
|[[Pauri (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Pauri]]
|{{Lost}}
|3,375
|5.00%
|18,312
|
|-
|[[1991 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1991]]
|11th Uttar Pradesh Assembly
|[[Pauri (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Pauri]]
|{{Won}}
|31,997
|48.70%
|10,692
|
|-
|[[1993 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1993]]
|12th Uttar Pradesh Assembly
|[[Pauri (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Pauri]]
|{{Won}}
|28,585
|39.70%
|5,326
|
|-
|[[1996 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1996]]
|13th Uttar Pradesh Assembly
| style="background-color: {{party color|Janata Dal}}" |
|[[Janata Dal|JD]] 
|[[Pauri (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Pauri]]
|{{Lost}}
|18,816
|22.60%
|27,416
|
|-
|[[1998 Indian general election|1998]]
|[[12th Lok Sabha]]
| style="background-color: {{party color|Bahujan Samaj Party}}" |
|[[Bahujan Samaj Party|BSP]]
|[[Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency|Garhwal]]
|{{Lost}}
|41,268
|8.16%
|2,38,990
|[https://resultuniversity.com/election/garhwal-lok-sabha]
|-
|[[2002 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2002]]
|[[1st Uttarakhand Assembly]]
| rowspan="4" style="background-color: {{party color|Indian National Congress}}" |
| rowspan="4" |[[Indian National Congress|INC]] 
|[[Lansdowne (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Lansdowne]]
|{{Won}}
|8,914
|34.45%
|468
|
|-
|[[2007 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2007]]
|[[2nd Uttarakhand Assembly]]
|[[Lansdowne (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Lansdowne]]
|{{Won}}
|12,899
|41.97%
|3,818
|
|-
|[[2012 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2012]]
|[[3rd Uttarakhand Assembly]]
|[[Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Rudraprayag]]
|{{Won}}
|15,469
|29.01%
|1,326
|
|-
|[[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
|[[16th Lok Sabha]]
|[[Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency|Garhwal]]
|{{Lost}}
|2,21,164
|32.43%
|1,84,526
|[https://resultuniversity.com/election/garhwal-lok-sabha]
|-
|[[2017 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly election|2017]]
|[[4th Uttarakhand Assembly]]
| style="background-color: {{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}" |
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] 
|[[Kotdwar (Uttarakhand Assembly constituency)|Kotdwar]]
|{{Won}}
|39,859
|56.06%
|11,318
|
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}11.[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ex-minister-dfo-must-pay-for-tree-felling-in-corbett-sc/articleshow/108277466.cms Ex-minister, DFO must pay for tree-felling in Corbett: SC]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rawat, Dr. Harak Singh Rawat}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:United Progressive Alliance candidates in the 2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Leaders of the opposition in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University alumni]]
[[Category:Uttaranchal MLAs 2002–2007]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand MLAs 2007–2012]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand MLAs 2012–2017]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand MLAs 2017–2022]]

Harak Singh Rawat - Revision history

Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil at 07:57, 11 February 2026