Harish Rawat, a senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, has officially resigned from his party posts. The resignation comes in the wake of an Enforcement Directorate (ED) operation targeting one of his aides, which reportedly uncovered significant assets. According to the ED, the searches resulted in the seizure of Rs 32 lakh in unaccounted cash, along with 200.5 grams of gold—consisting of 13 coins and 7 chains—and 12 luxury watches.

The timing of the resignation has drawn attention, as it follows the discovery of these assets during the federal agency's investigation. While the ED has publicly detailed the items seized, the specific connection between the aide's assets and Rawat’s professional standing remains a point of focus in political circles. Rawat has not yet provided a detailed public statement regarding the specific allegations against his aide, but his decision to vacate his party positions is widely viewed as an attempt to distance himself from the ongoing investigation. The ED continues to probe the source of the seized funds and valuables, while the Congress party has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the impact of Rawat’s resignation on the state unit's leadership structure.