Speculation over Premchand Agarwal's possible removal from the Uttarakhand Cabinet has gained further traction after the BJP's chief spokesperson Anil Baluni described as "painful and unfortunate" the minister's recent outburst in the assembly against people from the hill areas. Baluni is also the BJP MP from Pauri Garhwal. "The entire matter has been very painful and unfortunate. I am the party's chief spokesperson and I have to maintain decorum. But I have performed my duty by raising the matter strongly in proper forums," Baluni told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Kotdwar on Friday. Agarwal's remark during the budget session of the House late last month sparked anger among the people, especially those from the state's hill areas. The comment also led to protests and burning of his effigies. The latest protest was witnessed on Thursday in the state's summer capital Gairsain where men and women from the hill districts of both the Kumaon and the Garhwal divisions, ..