Progressive Democratic Front (Uttarakhand)


The Progressive Democratic Front is a political front in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It was founded in 2014 and consisted of the two regional political forces in the state, Bahujan Samaj Party and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal with Independent MLAs. Currently PDF is a part of the Indian National Congress led United Progressive Alliance.

Background

PDF was formed in January 2014 just before the leadership change in the INC-ruled Uttarakhand when Vijay Bahuguna was replaced by Harish Rawat as the new Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. Three members of Bahujan Samaj Party, one of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and three Independent MLAs joined hands to consolidate their critical and key position in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly where no party enjoyed the majority by itself. Both the INC and Bharatiya Janata Party relying on their support to achieve majority in the house to form the government. As previously they allied with the Congress-led Bahuguna government independently. PDF after forming a front continued to give support of its 7 MLAs to the new Harish Rawat government and bagged 5 cabinet ministerial birth as the result of power-sharing agreement.

Current status

Following the 2017 Assembly election, PDF has a single Independent MLA Pritam Singh Panwar representing Dhanaulti constituency in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

Former PDF MLAs of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly