By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 26 May: Ahead of the three-day Uttarakhand visit of BJP national president Nitin Nabin, political activity within the state unit of the party has intensified once again, bringing the ongoing internal tug-of-war in the organisation back into focus. The continuous visits of senior BJP leaders to the residence of party MLA Arvind Pandey have triggered fresh speculation in political circles regarding the internal equations within the party. It may be recalled that, as per speculations in political circles, Arvind Pandey, the BJP MLA from Gadarpur and a former cabinet minister, is not known to have a cordial relationship with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Although the BJP central leadership continues to publicly project strong confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, discussions surrounding the prolonged Arvind Pandey episode within the party refuse to die down. With Nitin Nabin scheduled to visit Uttarakhand from 28 to 30 May, both the party organisation and the government are now said to be making efforts to contain the matter and prevent it from escalating further.
It may also be recalled that, following the escalation of the rift between Pandey and Dhami, and circulation of a letter allegedly written by Pandey to the CM, alleging his victimisation, Pandey was forced by the party to hold a press conference at which he had claimed that no such letter had been written by him. It may also be pointed out here that this alleged letter was made viral on social media by Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Ganesh Godiyal.
Meanwhile, dring his visit, Nitin Nabin is expected to participate in organisational meetings and interact with senior leaders and party workers. However, the political developments taking place just ahead of his arrival have raised questions over claims that all is well within the Uttarakhand BJP.
Arvind Pandey has remained in the headlines for a long time due to his outspoken remarks, several of which reportedly created uncomfortable situations for both the government and the party organisation. On multiple occasions, senior party leaders were compelled to issue clarifications over his statements. Political observers have claimed that different power centres remain active within the BJP and that the party appears divided into separate camps.
The latest round of political discussions gathered pace after senior BJP leaders began visiting Arvind Pandey’s residence in Gadarpur shortly before the national president’s tour. Two days ago, BJP national media in-charge and Garhwal MP Anil Baluni visited Pandey’s residence.
Today, former Chief Minister and Haridwar MP Trivendra Singh Rawat also reached Gadarpur to meet him. Photographs of both meetings have surfaced publicly, further fuelling speculation regarding the political significance of these interactions.
Political analysts believe that it would be difficult to dismiss these meetings merely as routine courtesy visits. One of the major reasons behind such speculation is the perception that Arvind Pandey has long been considered close to the camps led by Anil Baluni and Trivendra Singh Rawat. In such a situation, the meetings held just before the national president’s visit have once again intensified debate over the BJP’s internal politics in Uttarakhand.
Within the party, concerns are also emerging that if the matter is allowed to escalate further, it could politically damage the BJP ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. This is believed to be one of the reasons why efforts have now intensified at both the organisational and governmental levels to resolve differences and project unity.
Sources indicate that an important meeting of senior BJP leaders has been proposed at the Chief Minister’s residence tomorrow in which Dhami, BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt, MP Anil Baluni, former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and BJP state general secretary (organisation) Ajaey Kumar are likely to participate.
It is being widely discussed that the meeting will focus on resolving internal differences and presenting a united front before the arrival of national president Nitin Nabin.
On the other hand, BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt has consistently denied the existence of factionalism within the party. Bhatt has reiterated that the BJP is a disciplined party where democratic traditions are fully respected and senior leaders visiting the residence of an MLA should be viewed as part of normal political and courtesy interactions. He maintained that even if there were any grievances or differences at any level, they would be resolved amicably.
For now, the growing political activity ahead of Nitin Nabin’s visit has clearly indicated that the BJP leadership is not in a mood to treat the matter lightly. Political attention is now firmly focused on the 27 May meeting and the developments likely to follow during the national president’s Uttarakhand tour.
It remains to be seen whether the BJP leadership continues to describe these developments merely as routine political meetings or whether a larger political solution emerges to address the long-running internal tensions within the Uttarakhand BJP. With the 2027 Assembly elections gradually approaching, the party leadership is understood to be keen on resolving dissatisfaction and differences within the organisation before they begin affecting the party politically.
