Dehradun: As Uttarakhand gears up for the 2027 assembly elections, political rhetoric is intensifying, with BJP and Congress locked in a heated exchange over Rahul Gandhi’s ‘lame horse’ remark for the underperforming Congress leaders.
The comment, originally made in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh last week, has now sparked debate within Uttarakhand’s political circles, with BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt taking a direct jab at Congress.
Congress leaders react to ‘Lame Horse’ remark
Rahul Gandhi’s analogy, which categorized leaders as racehorses, wedding horses, and lame horses, has led to internal discussions within Congress. Dharchula MLA Harish Dhami weighed in on the debate, stating that the party’s lame horse has been identified—referring to Harak Singh Rawat, a former Congress leader who defected to BJP.
Dhami remarked, “Leaders like Harak Singh Rawat are lame horses because when the party needed them to run, they showed their lameness and joined BJP.” His statement not only targeted Rawat but also exposed internal divisions within Congress, highlighting ongoing leadership struggles.
BJP seizes the opportunity
BJP quickly capitalized on the controversy, with state president Mahendra Bhatt mocking Congress’s internal turmoil. Bhatt stated, “Congress has no shortage of lame horses, and the good running horses have already joined BJP. We are still looking for more good horses inside Congress, and in the 2027 elections, we will win with a huge number of votes.”
His remarks reinforced BJP’s strategy of attracting disgruntled Congress leaders, a trend that has been observed in previous elections. Before the Lok Sabha elections, BJP dealt a major blow to Congress by inducting Badrinath MLA Rajendra Bhandari, along with several former MLAs and cabinet ministers.
Congress faces internal challenges
The infighting within Congress has become a major concern for the party ahead of the elections. The public airing of internal disputes—especially Dhami’s remarks—has strengthened BJP’s narrative that Congress is struggling with leadership instability.
Political analysts suggest that Congress must address internal divisions and present a united front if it hopes to counter BJP’s growing influence. The party’s ability to retain key leaders and prevent further defections will be crucial in the run-up to 2027.
Election battle intensifies
With both parties sharpening their attacks, the political landscape in Uttarakhand is set for a fierce contest. BJP’s aggressive recruitment strategy and Congress’s internal challenges will play a decisive role in shaping the electoral outcome.
