‘BJP versus who?’ narrative has dissipated … Rahul Gandhi now seen as future PM: Uttarakhand Congress chief

Do the bypoll victories signify the Congress’s revival in the state?

Even before this by-election success, the party’s revival was evident nationwide. The Bharat Jodo Yatra added a sense of seriousness to our efforts and Rahul Gandhi ji’s interactions with farmers, women, unemployed youth, and labourers helped us connect deeply with people. We are seeing the positive outcomes of these efforts. Rahul ji’s performance as the de facto leader of the Opposition has also brought significant improvement. The false narrative of ‘BJP versus who?’ has dissipated. People now see Rahul Gandhi as the future Prime Minister.

Could the party have performed better in the Lok Sabha polls?

In the Lok Sabha elections, we made mistakes in at least 20-25 seats nationally, including all five seats in Uttarakhand. Some Congress leaders who refused to contest these seats may have failed to gauge the public sentiment against the ruling party. Our bypoll victory within two months shows that people were dissatisfied with the BJP. However, candidate selection is crucial and my choices were not optimal. I believe if the Lok Sabha polls had been held in a later phase in the state, and with better candidates, we could have won at least three to four seats. Other than Ganesh Godiyal in Pauri, we should have gone with different candidates for the other constituencies.

Congress candidates Qazi Nizamuddin (L) and Lakhpat Singh Butola (R) have been elected from the Manglaur and Badrinath Assembly constituencies. (Photo: INC Uttarakhand/ Lakhpat Singh Butola/ X)

Was the Agnipath scheme an issue in the parliamentary elections?

The Agnipath scheme has had some impact but its effects will become more pronounced in the coming days. People need time to understand such changes and shift their mindsets. Many now feel they have been deceived. Villagers in Uttarakhand are realising that in future there will be no Subedarni, Lance Naik ki patni, or Captain sahab ki wife, reflecting a sense of loss of status.

The BJP is known for its ground strength. Do you plan to build something similar in the state?

Under the direction of our central leadership, I have been working on this for the past two years. I am transforming our party from being leader-based to cadre-based. We want followers of ideologies rather than leaders. Our ideology is our leader and this is what we are promoting on the ground. I have decentralised all meetings. Instead of bringing party members to Dehradun for every meeting, protest or event, we are organising smaller events at the district, booth, and block levels every few days. We can already see the positive results of these efforts.

Was there a lack of coordination and communication among state leaders?

I don’t believe there was a lack of coordination and communication; rather, candidate selection played a big role in our Lok Sabha defeat. Another major issue was the lack of resources. We didn’t have enough funds for posters, banners or meetings, because our bank accounts were seized. Campaigning in the hills presents unique challenges and the lack of funds exacerbated these difficulties. We could not compete with the BJP in this regard.

Several key state leaders left to join the BJP before the elections. What are your plans to stop such an exodus?

I believe those who wanted to leave have already done so. When the party lost both the 2017 and 2022 Lok Sabha elections, those lacking commitment could not maintain their resolve and abandoned their ideology. I prefer not to comment on those who compromise on their beliefs. However, people made it clear in this bypoll that they do not support turncoats.

Senior leader P L Punia is coming to assess the results …

P L Punia plans to dedicate three hours to each of the five Lok Sabha constituencies. He will meet all our candidates for the Lok Sabha polls and the 2022 Assembly elections, as well as AICC and PCC members and other senior leaders. He will evaluate various issues, including lack of funds, and intra-party coordination. and candidate selection. Afterwards, he will share his findings with the top leadership.

The Congress has opposed the construction of a Kedarnath temple in Delhi. What is your take?

We believe there are already Panch Kedar (five Kedar temples) in the country and there shouldn’t be a sixth one. Kedarnath is the oldest jyotirlinga and our Puranas specifically state its location. The BJP’s attempt to establish a new Kedarnath temple in Delhi alters this tradition. While we have no objection to a temple to Kedar Bhagwan, the BJP is misrepresenting it as Kedarnath Dham, suggesting that visiting the Delhi temple will bring you the same blessings. To protest against the BJP’s perceived disrespect of Baba Kedar, I am organising a ‘Jai Gange Jai Kedar, Kedarnath Dham Pratishtha Raksha Yatra’ on July 24.