By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 29 April: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today strongly criticised the Congress party’s decision to hold its “Save Constitution Rally” on the day the sacred Char Dham Yatra commences, terming it as an anti-state move and an attempt to disrupt a sacred and significant event for Uttarakhand.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP State Headquarters here, today, BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt remarked that the Congress’s call for constitutional protection is akin to a cat going on a pilgrimage after devouring a hundred mice. He asserted that, if the Congress party possessed even an iota of moral integrity, it would have cancelled the rally in the interest of the state and nation and extend support to the Yatra.
Bhatt also questioned the timing and intention of the Congress campaign, emphasising that the Char Dham Yatra is the economic backbone of Uttarakhand. He reminded that the Char Dham Yatra is commencing tomorrow, and is central to the state’s economy and spiritual ethos. The principal opposition party choosing to organise a political rally at such a juncture reflects its inherently negative outlook. Bhatt also alleged that the Congress does not wish to see Uttarakhand’s development or enhancement of its Devbhoomi image and is intentionally trying to hinder administrative and public efforts involved in the Yatra.
Referring to some past instances, Bhatt recalled how the Congress had made repeated attempts to derail the Yatra through similar political manoeuvres, extending even to the final days of last year’s pilgrimage in the name of Kedarnath Sansthapana Yatra.
The BJP State President further expressed anguish that the Congress was engaging in such a political agitation at a time when the nation is grieving and angered over the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He claimed that while the country stands united under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, preparing for a fitting response to our enemies, the Congress remains engaged in continuous negativity.
Bhatt further appealed to the Congress leaders saying that, in case they possess any sense of responsibility towards the state, they should postpone their political programme and instead contribute to pilgrimage management and assistance to devotees.
The BJP leader also accused the Congress of resorting to falsehoods to salvage its diminishing political future, and alleged that its “Save Constitution” campaign is in fact a ploy to create unrest and mislead the public. Bhatt reminded it is ironic that the same Congress which imposed the darkest chapter in India’s democratic history, the Emergency, now speaks of saving the Constitution. Bhatt also reminded the media how the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suspended democratic processes after a High Court verdict threatened her tenure.
The BJP MP further criticised the Congress for misuse of Article 356, claiming the party used it as a toy for political gain, toppling elected governments 102 out of the 124 times the Article has been invoked so far. Comparing the record of the BJP-led government, he claimed that the Modi government had used its majority for reforms like abolishing Triple Talaq and freeing Waqf properties from mafia control, while Congress misused its mandate, as seen in the Shah Bano case reversal. He also cited the creation of the National Advisory Council under Sonia Gandhi as an example of unconstitutional governance.
Mocking Rahul Gandhi’s claim of constitutional commitment, Bhatt recalled how Gandhi had publicly torn his own government’s ordinance, insulting constitutional procedures. He also accused Congress of showing disrespect towards various Presidents and Vice Presidents, including Droupadi Murmu, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr Rajendra Prasad. Bhatt asserted that the Congress’s campaign is aimed at sowing doubt about the credibility of constitutional bodies like the Election Commission, judiciary, and armed forces, solely for political mileage.
Present at the press conference were State General Secretary Aditya Kothari, State Vice President Mukesh Kohli, Co-Media In-Charge Rajendra Singh Negi, Sanjeev Verma, Spokespersons Kamlesh Raman, Sunita Vidyarthi and Rajkumar Purohit.
