By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEHRADUN, 18 Nov: BJP on Monday claimed that the party will win Kedarnath by-poll with record votes on the basis of the development work done in Kedar Valley by Narendra Modi-led Central government and Pushkar Singh Dhami-led state government. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters here, BJP’s chief spokesman Suresh Joshi claimed that the public will vote in favour of development and Sanatan Dharma protection and will teach a lesson to those who are attempting to tarnish the image of holy shrines by seeking Fatwas from Maulanas to win elections.
Joshi claimed that victims of factionalism, Congress leaders and candidates have all packed their bags due to public ire. He also asserted that the rumours of liquor being distribution are afloat; it was the BJP which had complained to the election observer and claimed that the party has evidence of the conspiracy. The evidence has already been shared by the BJP with the Election Commission. He said that after proper investigation, the culprits behind the distribution of liquor will be punished as per the law. However, Congress only campaigning strategy was to spread false propaganda on social media. he stated.
Joshi asserted that the victory of BJP candidate Asha Nautiyal is clearly visible going by the election campaign so far. He cited many important reasons for his claim and said that under the instructions of the Prime Minister and the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, historic reconstruction has been done in Kedar Valley. As a result, the number of people who are reaching Kedarnath after the disaster of 2013 has increased from 40,000 to 16.5 lakh this year. Every devotee who reaches there takes with him/her, the memory of the grand divine Kedarpuri and a successful, smooth, safe journey. Apart from this, in the past years, the BJP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami has taken many bold, and strong measures such as UCC, conversion law, anti-riot law, and action on illegal religious encroachments. All these works reflect the culture, tradition, and public sentiments of the Kedar Valley.
Additionally, Joshi also claimed that another important reason for the BJP’s victory, will be the negative politics of Congress on all these pivotal issues. Congress opposed each and every issue of public interest like UCC, conversion, anti-riot law, love jihad, land jihad, and anti-copy law. Targeting the Congress, he stated that the Congress leaders are spreading lies and rumours in the country and the world regarding the reputation of Baba Kedar and have used political propaganda to influence the Yatra in a negative manner. Not only this, nowwhen the Yatra is long over, they are still trying unsuccessfully to spread confusion about the number of pilgrims. The truth is that despite the total duration of the Yatra season being less, the average number of pilgrims per day has been more than last year. Till yesterday, a total of 48 lakh pilgrims reached the four dhams, and more than 16.5 lakh pilgrims visited Bholenath in Kedarnath Dham alone.
He raised questions on Congress’s claims of victory, stating that even during the elections, the Congress organisation was not visible there. Joshi further claimed that all the Congress bigwigs have packed their bags after finishing the formalities of campaigning. Not only this, half-a -dozen factions of the claimants are in the mood to teach a lesson to their high command.
