The Congress has plunged into a crisis in poll-bound Uttarakhand with former chief minister Harish Rawat revolting against the high command’s purported attempts to rein him in, at a time the ruling BJP looks on shaky ground.

Rawat, who quit as general secretary in charge of election-bound Punjab to lead the Congress in Uttarakhand, on Wednesday publicly said he felt fettered and wondered whether it was time to retire from politics. This is being seen as an ultimatum to the central leadership and sources say Rawat could indeed take a major step over the next 15 days if his grievances are not addressed.

Ironically, Rawat was instrumental in evicting Captain Amarinder Singh from the chief minister’s chair in Punjab as the representative of the high command and is now caught in a similar situation himself.

His aides suggested that Uttarakhand Congress in-charge Devender Yadav was conspiring to undermine his authority to ensure that he did not emerge as the choice for the chief minister’s post. Yadav, a young Delhi leader assigned the task of handling Uttarakhand, could possibly not have acted at cross-purposes with the veteran Rawat without the high command’s blessings.

Rawat being part of the high command structure himself for quite some time understands that this problem cannot be tackled without igniting a political explosion.

The former Uttarakhand chief minister tweeted on Wednesday: “Isn’t it strange that the organisation is not extending a helping hand and is also creating hurdles when you have to swim across the sea of elections?”

The sources said several district presidents had refused to cooperate with Rawat during the campaign, allegedly on the instructions of Yadav.

Rawat further said: “The ruling party has unleashed several crocodiles in the sea where we have to swim. The agents of the leader on whose instructions we have to swim across the sea are tying our hands and legs. A thought often flits through the mind — enough is enough. I have done enough swimming and now is the time for rest.”

He added: “Then there is a feeling against surrender or escape. I am in a splitting dilemma. The new year will probably show the way. I am confident Lord Kedarnath will guide me in this situation.”

Those who know Rawat insist that the crisis is serious and he is contemplating other options, including joining another party. Sources in the high command say there will be attempts to pacify him and the party understands his importance in the hill state.

There is no denying that Rawat is the most important leader of the Congress in Uttarakhand and the party will be badly bruised if he exits at this late stage. But the high command appears reluctant to give him a free hand and project him as the candidate for chief minister.

Rawat wants a major say in candidate selection but even that is not being granted. He suspects there is a plan to appoint somebody else as chief minister if the Congress wins the election, the sources said.

The Congress has strong chances of winning because the BJP is in disarray after changing two chief ministers within months. The central leadership yielded to Rawat’s pressure by appointing the state unit chief, Ganesh Godiyal, according to his choice but the office-bearers were not changed. This prevented Rawat from maximising his sway over the organisation and the free hand he expected was not forthcoming.

If Rahul Gandhi doesn’t handle the situation with dexterity, a state the party looks poised to win will slip out of hand, many in the Congress fear.