By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 20 Jun: Congress leaders Pritam Singh and Ganesh Godiyal on Saturday jointly addressed the media at the State party office. On this occasion, both the leaders announced the launch of Parivartan Sankalp Sammelans to highlight what they termed as the anti-people policies of the BJP government. Pritam Singh, chairman of the election campaign committee, asserted that the conferences would begin with the hill constituencies divided into four zones. He said that rising inflation, the unemployment, insecurity among women and the widespread corruption has left every citizen troubled. Singh added that Congress aims to take these issues to the people through the campaign.
In Zone One, the campaign led by State party president Ganesh Godiyal along with the party MLAs Mayukh Mahar, Harish Dhami and Khushal Singh Adhikari, will cover constituencies including Champawat, Lohaghat, Pithoragarh, Didihat, Dharchula, Gangolihat, Bageshwar and Kapkot from June 28 to July 2. The campaign in Zone two would be led by Harak Singh Rawat with Surendra Singh Negi, Shurveer Singh Sajwan, MLA Lakhpat Singh Butola, former MLAs Jeet Ram and Manoj Rawat and it will run from June 28 to July 7 covering Yamaunotri, Kotdwar, Lansdowne, Chaubattakhal, Srinagar, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Tharali and Karnaprayag. The campaign in Zone three would be led by Pritam Singh with deputy leader of opposition Bhuvan Kapri and MLA Vikram Singh Negi, and it will also run from June 28 to July 7 covering constituencies like Purola, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Pratapnagar, Ghansali, Tehri, Narendra Nagar, Devprayag and Dhanaulti. At the same time, the campaign in Zone Four would be led by former state party president Karan Mahra along with former Assembly speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, MLAs Manoj Tiwari, Madan Bisht and Sumit Hridayesh and it will be held from June 29 to July 9 covering Haldwani, Lalkuan, Kaladhungi, Bhimtal, Nainital, Ramnagar, Jageshwar, Almora, Someshwar, Dwarahat, Ranikhet and Salt constituencies. Each constituency will host worker conferences, public meetings and demonstrations. Senior party leaders Harish Rawat and leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya are also likely to join any of the zones.
At the same time, PCC Chief Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the government is steeped in corruption and that the resources of the State are being controlled by those aligned with the BJP. He alleged that mining leases and crushers are given only to those supporting the ruling party, while those who do not support the BJP have been deprived of them. Godiyal urged the media to give due space to the issues raised by Congress, stressing that the press had a vital role in exposing the reality of the government. Responding to questions, Godiyal claimed that small fish are being made scapegoats in corruption cases while the big fish remain untouched and called upon those targeted to speak out and reveal the names of the powerful. He also criticised BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt for holding dual responsibilities and said the party must answer the people’s questions rather than threatening the opposition. He added that while the initial programme is focused on hill constituencies, simultaneous plans are also being prepared for the plains including Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar, Dehradun and Vikasnagar.
Among those present at press conference included Congress state general secretary Rajendra Shah, Rajendra Bhandari, Naveen Joshi, spokespersons Pratima Singh, Abhinav Thapar and Sunit Rathore.
