By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Jun: Political activity in Uttarakhand has started gathering momentum in the run-up to the 2027 Assembly elections. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is set to arrive in Almora tomorrow for what the Congress describes as a major show of strength and the formal launch of its election campaign in the state. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a large public rally at the Simkani Ground in Almora tomorrow, where elaborate preparations are in the final stages amid heightened enthusiasm among party workers and leaders. Later, Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to visit Pauri and have interactions with the soldiers there on 5 June.
The proposed rally in Almora is being viewed by the Congress as one of its most significant political programmes in Uttarakhand ahead of the Assembly polls. Extensive arrangements have been made at the venue, including construction of the main stage, seating facilities for thousands of supporters, security arrangements, traffic management plans and other logistical preparations. Congress leaders have expressed confidence that the gathering will witness participation from across Kumaon and several parts of Garhwal, making it one of the largest political events organised by the party in the state in recent years.
Several senior Congress leaders have been camping in Almora to personally supervise the arrangements. Uttarakhand Congress in-charge Kumari Selja, Pradesh Congress Committee President Ganesh Godiyal, Leader of the Opposition in Uttarakhand Yashpal Arya and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat have been holding continuous organisational meetings and interacting with party workers to ensure the success of the programme. Congress leaders and workers have also intensified public outreach campaigns in villages, towns and urban centres, inviting people to participate in the rally in large numbers.
The Congress has established a dedicated control room at its state headquarters in Dehradun to monitor Rahul Gandhi’s Uttarakhand visit and coordinate organisational activities. Senior party functionaries have been assigned responsibilities to ensure smooth execution of the programme. According to party leaders, Rahul Gandhi’s visit will not be confined to a public rally alone but will also include interactions aimed at strengthening the organisation and energising party cadres ahead of the electoral battle.
Party leaders maintain that the Almora rally is much more than a routine political gathering and will serve as the formal election bugle for the 2027 Assembly elections. The Congress leadership believes the event will provide fresh momentum to the organisation and help strengthen the party structure down to the booth level. The rally is also expected to focus on issues concerning unemployment, migration from hill districts, inflation, development, welfare schemes and concerns of youth, farmers, women and ex-servicemen. Party strategists see the event as an opportunity to consolidate support in the Kumaon region and send a political message across the state.
Congress leaders have further claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s address will offer a new political direction for Uttarakhand and outline the party’s vision for the state. The leadership is also hoping that the programme will help galvanise workers and strengthen the Congress campaign in the run-up to the elections. Reports from various parts of Kumaon suggest that Congress workers have been conducting meetings and mobilisation drives for the rally over the past several days.
Kumari Selja who has been camping in Uttarakhand for the past several days in the run up to Rahul Gandhi’s events in the state, claims that there is tremendous enthusiasm among people across Uttarakhand regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit and public meeting. She stated that a large number of people are preparing to attend the rally and asserted that the programme would mark the beginning of the Congress campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections. According to her, Rahul Gandhi’s visit would infuse new energy into the organisation and further strengthen the party’s prospects in the state.
