Dehradun: As polling is continued in Uttarakhand for local body elections today, the stakes are high for both the BJP and Congress, with both parties eyeing the 2027 Assembly elections.
The BJP, riding on the recent Cabinet approval for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), has focussed its campaign on Hindutva issues, while the Congress focuses on issues for commoners like unemployment and corruption.
Dhami promoted triple engine government idea during election campaign
The BJP, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has been promoting the idea of a “triple engine government” and has accused the Congress of “appeasement politics.” The Congress, on the other hand, has criticized the BJP for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by approving the UCC just days before the polls. The Congress has written to the State Election Commission seeking action against the BJP.
BJP vowed for strict actions against forced religious conversions, riots, and “land jihad
At a campaign for election following the Cabinet nod, CM Dhami announced that Uttarakhand would be the first state to implement the UCC, ensuring “equal rights and responsibilities to its citizens.” He also highlighted his government’s strict actions against forced religious conversions, riots, and “land jihad.”
BJP’s performance in the civic polls would pave the way for their success in 2027
Manveer Singh Chauhan, Uttarakhand BJP media in-charge, stated that the Congress’s defeat in the Kedarnath by-polls last November was a precursor to the 2027 Assembly elections. He emphasized that the BJP’s performance in the local body polls would pave the way for their success in 2027. State BJP president Mahendra Bhatt echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence in the party’s victory and highlighting their commitment to the people.
A total of 72 candidates are contesting the mayoral polls
The local body polls will be held across 1,515 polling centers and 3,394 polling booths, with voting taking place for 11 municipal corporations, 43 municipal councils, and 46 nagar panchayats. A total of 72 candidates are contesting the mayoral polls, while 445 are vying for municipal council chairperson positions. Over 4,000 candidates are in the fray to become councillors. In the last local body polls in 2018, the BJP won six mayoral posts, while the Congress won two. The Congress had a slight edge in the municipal council polls, winning 14 chairperson posts compared to the BJP’s 13. In the nagar panchayats, the BJP currently holds 17 chairperson positions, while the Congress has seven.
Congress is pushing local issues like unemployment, corruption
The Congress is pushing local issues like unemployment, corruption, and the alleged misuse of land in its campaign. Party spokesperson Garima Mahara Dasauni emphasized the importance of these polls as the foundation for the 2027 Assembly elections. He criticized the BJP for treating the local body polls as Lok Sabha elections and pointed out that UP CM Yogi Adityanath, one of the BJP’s star campaigners, had not even shown up.
Congress has been facing internal bickering
However, the Congress has faced internal challenges over ticket distribution for the local body polls. The exit of its vice-president Mathura Dutt Joshi over the denial of a ticket to his wife and the rebellion from Pithoragarh MLA Mayukh Mahar, who supported an independent candidate, have created friction within the party. A Congress leader admitted that taking action against Mahar before the polls could harm the party’s prospects, as he might join the BJP.
