BJP Must Change Face
The Sunday Mail
Dehradun. For the first time since the high command formed a new team, the Congress, united in Uttarakhand, appears to be gaining the upper hand over the BJP. Leaders are attacking the BJP from a single platform, conveying a message of unity. The growing crowds at Congress rallies are a clear indication that the people of the state are deeply dissatisfied with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and his government and are ready for change. This appears to be boosting the morale of Congress leaders. Protests are currently underway in most areas of Uttarakhand demanding basic amenities against the Dhami government. BJP leaders themselves are seen as opposed to their own government, as Chief Minister Dhami has failed to keep the BJP united. If the BJP high command does not make any changes in Uttarakhand’s leadership soon, many leaders may leave the BJP. Most ministers in the Dhami government are of the Congress ideology, and many of them do not get along well with the Chief Minister. Ministers with BJP ideology, such as Dhan Singh Rawat, have been the CM’s target. As for the state’s BJP MPs, not a single one is happy with CM Dhami’s attitude. Haridwar MP Trivendra Singh Rawat and Garhwal MP Anil Baluni have expressed disappointment in the CM’s working style, though not directly. Former MP Tirath Singh Rawat has even questioned the government’s performance. This means the state of the Uttarakhand BJP has become very worrying. The Congress party is closely monitoring the internal situation within the BJP. The Congress party is deliberately raising internal conflicts and leaving no opportunity to attack the BJP. If this situation persists until the elections, ministers and leaders of the Congress-minded Dhami
government may return to the Congress party. The high command has unified the Congress party by appointing Ganesh Godiyal as the Uttarakhand Chief Minister. Leaders like former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Harak Singh Rawat, Pritam Singh, and Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya, gathering on one platform, are successfully expressing their loyalty to each other and conveying a message of unity to the party workers. The party also appears to be growing stronger. This is why Uttarakhand Congress leaders are leaving no opportunity to attack the BJP’s strong central leadership.
The Congress party’s stance suggests that it does not consider CM Dhami and his government to be a competitor. They believe the angry public will defeat the BJP on its own. Following the guidance of their leader Rahul Gandhi, Congressmen are now fully united and reaching out to the public, while the situation within the BJP is dire. Only the state president and a handful of MLAs and ministers are seen with CM Dhami. However, the BJP high command is receiving complete reports. The IB report is also very disappointing. Indications are that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may decide to make changes in some states, including Uttarakhand. However, considering the situation in Uttarakhand, the high command will have to take a decision soon.
