Dehradun, Feb. 22 -- The political debate over the summer capital, Gairsain, has reignited after BJP MLA from Lansdowne Daleep Rawat issued a clarification on his "oxygen shortage" remark. Meanwhile, the Congress reiterated its promise to declare the hill town the permanent capital of the state if it comes to power in the 2027 assembly elections. The controversy erupted after a video clip of the BJP legislator commenting on infrastructural and logistical challenges in Gairsain went viral on social media. However, the MLA claimed the video was old and the statement was made when Gairsain lacked proper arrangements. Clarifying his statement, the MLA said, "The statement circulating on social media is very old. It was made at a time when there were no proper arrangements in Gairsain. Even now, I maintain that the secretariat, directorates and adequate arrangements for employees should be established there. I would also request the government to set up the High Court in Gairsain." In his earlier statement, he had said, "There is a bit of an oxygen shortage there, and it is also extremely cold. It would have been more appropriate if the Assembly building had been constructed at the previously selected site instead of Bhararisain." The Congress accused the ruling party of lacking seriousness about developing Gairsain as the permanent capital. Meanwhile, ex-CM and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat wrote on his Facebook account on Saturday, "Gairsain is not just a place; it is the sentiment of the people... Congress established and nurtured Gairsain, and now Congress will fulfil this dream of the people of Uttarakhand in 2027." He made similar statements in October and July last year. Making Gairsain the state's capital has been a hot political topic since the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000. Even during the statehood movement, people demanded that Gairsain be named the capital. They argued that since Gairsain is almost equidistant from both Kumaon and Garhwal divisions, the state should have a permanent hill capital....