By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Mar: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Haridwar on 7 March. Preparations for the visit are underway on a war footing. The programme is formally centred around a Cooperation Conference, besides the proposed Ardh-Kumbh in Haridwar, but there are signals that this visit will mark early beginning of the groundwork for the assembly elections for the party in Uttarakhand.
Incidentally, the event also coincides with the completion of four years of the Pushkar Singh Dhami government. This visit of Shah is being also seen in the political circles as a crucial one from the perspective of the 2027 Assembly elections. The choice of Haridwar as the venue is being seen as particularly significant, given the district’s religious, cultural and political importance in the state.
CM Dhami in this regard had reminded the media yesterday during the Holi Milan that the Central Government has sanctioned Rs 500 crores for the preparations of the proposed Ardh Kumbh in Haridwar in 2027. Expressing gratitude to the Centre, he said the amount would strengthen the basic infrastructure required for the grand religious congregation. He asserted that the 2027 Ardh Kumbh would be organised in a ‘divine and grand’ manner and that fair administration officials and employees have already begun groundwork to ensure timely completion of all arrangements.
According to Dhami, Amit Shah will visit Bairagi Camp in Haridwar, conduct a site inspection of the Ardh Kumbh preparations, obtain feedback from the officials concerned and also interact with members of the public. Ahead of the Union Home Minister’s arrival, the CM also chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparations in detail.
Dhami observed that a historic turnout is anticipated at Bairagi Camp and stated that the release of Rs 500 crores by the Centre underlines the importance of religious events such as the Kumbh for the state’s economy and cultural identity. He also hinted that Amit Shah may announce new schemes for Uttarakhand during his visit.
Political analysts note that ever since the creation of Uttarakhand as a separate state in 2000, the Central Government led by the BJP has accorded due priority and seriousness to its developmental needs, particularly in matters relating to infrastructure, disaster management, pilgrimage circuits and strategic connectivity. They also assert that BJP had successfully retained power in the 2022 Assembly elections largely on the plank of the ‘double engine government’, a phrase used to signify BJP governments both at the Centre and in the state working in tandem for accelerated development. With the BJP continuing to rule at the Centre, observers believe that the party is likely to once again prioritise the double engine narrative in the 2027 Assembly elections.
According to party sources, Shah is also likely to attend a meeting of the state BJP leadership, including members of the core committee, former Chief Ministers, Trivendra Singh Rawat, Vijay Bahuguna and Tirath Singh Rawat, the state general secretary and other senior leaders. The meeting is likely to deliberate on strategy for the 2027 Assembly polls. In fact, State BJP president Mahendra Bhatt admitted that under the chairmanship of Amit Shah, preparations for the forthcoming elections would be reviewed and future strategy further consolidated.
It may also be reminded here that Haridwar district is considered politically sensitive from the BJP’s perspective. In the last Assembly elections, the BJP could not secure victories in certain constituencies such as Haridwar Rural, Khanpur, Manglaur and Pirankaliyar. The analysts believe that the party is attempting to consolidate its position in these segments through a combination of religious outreach and development initiatives. Haridwar, with its mix of urban, rural, SC and minority-dominated areas, has often produced closely contested electoral outcomes. Sources in the BJP claim that this time, BJP is focussing on consolidating its vote bank and support particularly in the district with an aim to win more seats.
Haridwar MLA and former state BJP president Madan Kaushik maintained that the programme is not merely for political gain but is intended to convey the message of global-scale preparations for the Kumbh. He said that developmental works carried out over the past four years would be showcased to the public through exhibitions and outreach activities. He added that the visit of a senior national leader has a positive impact and expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power with an even stronger mandate.
The Congress, however, has described the programme as a political exercise. Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat expressed concern over what he termed the prevailing atmosphere in the state. He remarked that in case the Union Home Minister speaks of development in the holy city of Haridwar, it would be welcome, but divisive or distracting politics would not serve the interests of the people. He asserted that, even if the entire Central leadership of the BJP were to campaign in Uttarakhand, the electorate is prepared for change.
Political analysts also observe that the BJP appears to be attempting to simultaneously address both the Kumbh preparations and the Assembly election strategy. They also remind that the proposed visit of Amit Shah will be followed by the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 March. They claim that religious events are being interwoven with political messaging. According to them, the BJP has faced challenges in certain rural pockets and minority-concentrated areas of Haridwar district, and the political impact of such high-profile visits will be closely watched.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit slated later in the month, the series of engagements could well serve as an informal launch of the electoral campaign in Uttarakhand. With both the visits of the top BJP leadership, the completion of four years of the Dhami government may effectively mark the sounding of the electoral bugle for the 2027 Assembly elections.
