By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Sep: With the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections drawing closer, the political battle between the ruling BJP and the Congress is intensifying, with the Opposition raising a number of issues against the Dhami government and the ruling party strongly countering the charges on a regular basis. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today hit back at the Congress over its allegations concerning the Uttarakhand coal power plant in Chhattisgarh allotted to Adani Power, the UIIDB and the Ankita Bhandari murder case, among other issues.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event here today, Dhami said the Congress has no real issues left to raise and that most of the issues being raised by the Opposition are based on what he described as falsehoods. He said that the allegations based on falsehoods eventually collapse on their own.
Responding to the Congress’ allegations regarding the Uttarakhand coal power plant in Chhattisgarh, Dhami asserted that the state is still paying the price for an energy agreement entered into during the Congress government in 2014-15. He said Uttarakhand is having to purchase electricity at rates of Rs 31 and Rs 32 per unit under those arrangements then implemented by the Congress government in Uttarakhand.
The CM asserted that the latest arrangement has been made keeping in view the state’s long-term power requirements and the objective of ensuring electricity at the lowest possible cost. He maintained that the entire process has been carried out strictly in accordance with the prescribed procedure and that there is no irregularity in it. He said the Uttarakhand coal power plant in Chhattisgarh has been taken into consideration in the state’s long-term interests.
The CM added that during the peak hours, Uttarakhand sometimes has to purchase electricity at around Rs 14 per unit and that the new arrangement would provide relief in this regard. He added that when there is surplus power, it can also be sold.
It may be recalled that yesterday the Congress had raised the issue at a press conference in Delhi addressed by Congress spokesman Pawan Khera, alleging that changes had been made in the tender process to facilitate the allotment of the coal power plant to Adani. Dhami rejected the allegations and questioned the Congress for holding its press conference in Delhi instead of Uttarakhand.
Dhami asserted that the Congress has no issues and is rattled. It is not finding any space to set foot in Uttarakhand, which is why it is holding press conferences in Delhi. He further claimed that the Congress in Uttarakhand has been completely wiped out and said the party is depending on leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and its spokespersons to raise issues against the state government.
On the allegations concerning the Uttarakhand Investment and Infrastructure Development Board (UIIDB), Dhami said its objective is to bring investment and employment to the state, promote tourism and explore new opportunities. He said the process is based on the procedure laid down by the Government of India and NITI Aayog.
It may be recalled further that the Congress had alleged that around 7,000 bighas of government land had been sold at throwaway prices through the UIIDB to favoured business houses. Rejecting the allegation, Dhami said that while the Congress is talking about thousands of bighas, less than 45 acres of land has so far been received by the UIIDB. He said this too exposes what he termed the Congress’ “falsehood”.
Dhami also responded to the Opposition’s campaign over the Ankita Bhandari murder case. He reminded that the government had taken action from the very beginning following the ‘unfortunate incident’ and that the result of the action is that the three convicted accused are now serving life imprisonment. He added that the matter is still before the court and that a CBI probe has been recommended, with the investigation underway.
The CM reminded that the Congress has also been questioning the Election Commission, EVMs, the administration and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, and alleged that the Opposition is now also trying to politicise the Ankita Bhandari case. He said all the sections of society have been deeply affected by Ankita’s death and claimed that political statements on the issue are causing further distress to her memory.
