Â
Š The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
In the 21 years since Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, voters have always alternated between the BJP and Congress. But given the Congressâs fortunes, and the BJPâs poll might, nothing can be said with certainty in the hill state this time. Meanwhile, there is AAP, peeking over the horizon.
As elections approach, the issues are the Covid pandemic and inflation, apart from the more routine roads, infrastructure and employment. However, towards the run-up, all the parties have rallied around the issue of armed forces, which draw huge numbers from the state.
The BJP has held a âShaheed Samman Yatraâ, collecting soil from villages of 1,734 âmartyrsâ, is building a âSainya Dhamâ in Dehradun to âhonour the spirit of pride in oneâs nationâ, and keeps reminding voters about the Modi government fulfilling the One Rank One Pension demand.
The Congress held a âVijay Samman Rallyâ in Dehradun on December 16 to mark Indiaâs 1971 victory over Pakistan, where cutouts of Indira and Rahul Gandhi shared equal billing with that of the late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Singh Rawat, an Uttarakhand native. Later, it kicked off a âVeer Gram Pranam Yatraâ from Rawatâs ancestral village. AAP has declared Colonel (retd) Ajay Kothiyal as its CM candidate â the only state where it has declared one.
In the state with over 50% voters below 40, the Congress is also focusing on unemployment and migration of youth.
However, its biggest hope is former chief minister Harish Rawat, despite the fractiousness in the ranks. Congress organisation general secretary Mathura Dutt Joshi declares Rawat âpersonallyâ commands 7-10% of the votes, and people are rallying behind him as it might be the 73-year-oldâs last election. Amidst signs of Rawatâs displeasure, Delhi recently rushed to placate him.
The BJP too considers Rawat its primary opponent, with senior leader Amit Shah directing its attacks on him at the launch of the BJP campaign for Uttarakhand. The party is also highlighting that its incumbent CM, Puskhar Singh Dhami, is much younger (46) in comparison. It is asking for more time for the âpoliteâ politician Dhami, who took over only in July this year, after a CM change by the party.
The shake-up at the top hasnât smoothened all the wrinkles for the BJP. Last month, minister Harak Singh Rawat threatened to resign over âinactionâ on a proposed medical college in his constituency Kotdwar. Days later, MLA Daleep Singh Rawat accused the Forest Ministry and the Energy Ministry of neglecting his Lansdowne constituency.
The BJP hopes that the anger over the Devasthanam Board Act, to take over shrines in the state, has settled following the withdrawal of the legislation. Party leader Subodh Uniyal says it is no issue at all as those protesting against the Board were and remain BJP core voters.
Â
