BJP gears up for Amit Shah’s visit today
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 5 Nov: Political activity in Uttarakhand is beginning to gather momentum ahead of the next Assembly elections, with the BJP stepping up preparations for the proposed visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah tomorrow, while political exchanges have intensified over allegations of land fraud, government land management and the Congress’s political activities in the state.
BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt has described Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to Uttarakhand tomorrow as a historic occasion, expressing confidence that a large number of people would participate in the public meeting scheduled to be held at Parade Ground in Dehradun. He claimed that there is considerable enthusiasm among party workers and the general public across the state, from Garhwal to Kumaon, regarding the programme.
According to Bhatt, the celebrations marking the state’s foundation day will begin tomorrow and that the Union Home Minister’s visit at the very outset of these programmes would make the occasion particularly significant for Uttarakhand. The BJP is making elaborate arrangements to ensure that the event is held on a grand scale, with party workers being mobilised from across the state. He said Amit Shah’s guidance would be important both for the state’s development and for strengthening the party organisation.
Bhatt also claimed that the BJP shares a special bond with Uttarakhand, recalling that the state was created during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He added that several development initiatives are now being undertaken in Uttarakhand under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With the support of the Central Government, new opportunities for development have emerged in the state, making Amit Shah’s visit particularly important.
Reacting to allegations being levelled by the Congress against the state government over land fraud and the alleged irregularities involving government land, Bhatt launched a counterattack, accusing the Congress of having its own history of encroachments and questionable dealings involving government properties. He maintained that before questioning the BJP government, the Congress should explain how government assets were utilised and allotted during its own tenure.
He said the Congress should first introspect into land-related controversies during its period in power instead of raising questions about the policies of the present government. Defending the land policy of the Dhami Government, Bhatt claimed that the government is working towards better utilisation of barren and unproductive land that has remained unused for a long time. The objective, he said, is to ensure the systematic utilisation of such land to promote economic activities in the state and create employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth.
Bhatt maintained that the government’s policy is aimed at ensuring the productive use of land and accelerating the state’s overall development. He accused the Congress of attempting to derive political mileage by opposing initiatives related to development and employment. He further claimed that neither the Congress’s allegations nor its protests would succeed in misleading the public and that the party would ultimately suffer political consequences.
Taking another swipe at the Congress over its proposed rally and preparations for the forthcoming Assembly elections, Bhatt said the opposition party has been reduced to having only a handful of leaders in Uttarakhand, who are moving from one place to another in an effort to preserve its political relevance. He said the BJP has no objection to Congress leaders visiting Uttarakhand, holding rallies or presenting their views before the public, as every political party has democratic right to organise programmes and express its position. However, he asserted that such activities would have no impact on the BJP’s electoral preparations.
Claiming that the BJP is considerably ahead of the Congress in terms of election preparedness, Bhatt said the party has started its election management exercise well in advance. The organisational machinery is being activated down to the booth level, while party workers are regularly reaching out to people to highlight the government’s achievements and explain the BJP’s policies.
According to Bhatt, the party’s electoral strategy is not confined to organising large public meetings but also focuses on strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level. He asserted that BJP workers are continuously engaged in activities among the people and that the party is fully prepared for the next Assembly elections.
