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- Narendra Modi Popularity Vs Election Results 2022; BJP Party Performance In Uttarakhand
new Delhi42 minutes agoAuthor: Prem Pratap Singh
The impact of many local and national issues on the assembly elections of Uttarakhand was clearly visible. While the Modi factor prevailed in the mountains, issues like inflation and farmers’ agitation in the plains showed their effect. After the formation of a separate state, the tradition of having a Congress government for five years and BJP government for five years has also been broken. For the first time in the state, the BJP government is repeating itself.
Now let us know what were the five turning points that affected this election…
1. Benefit of changing CM face, but Dhami himself lost
Despite getting a clear majority in the 2017 elections, BJP changed three CMs in five years. At first, Trivendra Singh Rawat, who was a trusted lieutenant of the central leadership, was made the CM, but his working style led to increasing displeasure among the workers and MLAs. After four years, Tirath Singh Rawat was made the CM by replacing Trivendra. Tirath’s rhetoric has put the party in an uncomfortable position at times. It seemed that the party would be reduced to 20 seats in the election. BJP took the risk for the third time on the basis of internal survey and organization’s feedback. Youth leader Pushkar Singh Dhami, who became MLA for the second time, was made CM eight months before the elections. Dhami showed activism, due to which BJP won the election. But CM Dhami himself lost the election.
2. The Modi factor came to work on the mountain
The effect of the Modi factor continued in the hill districts of Uttarakhand. Religious sentiments are of great importance in these districts. BJP left no stone unturned to capitalize on this. PM Modi himself came several times to do election campaigns in Uttarakhand. It is being told that eight to ten seats in the state were directly affected by Modi’s election campaign. This was the reason that today, breaking the tradition in Uttarakhand, BJP returned to power.
3. Drawing up the development blueprint
The rejuvenation of Kedarnath was promoted vigorously. Four laning of highway connecting Chardham, development of Chardham was highlighted. PM Modi visited Kedarnath Dham many times. The roadmap for development was drawn from the widening of roads to Nepal and China border, construction of railway line from Rishikesh to Karnprayag.
4. Discontent with farmers’ agitation and inflation neutralized
Parts of the plain districts of Udham Singh Nagar, Haridwar and Dehradun were greatly affected by the farmers’ agitation. Violent clashes also took place during the movement. Also, inflation worked as fuel in the fire. It did no harm to BJP.
5. Congress’s infighting and factionalism benefited
Factionalism prevailed in the Congress. Earlier, there was a cold war between Harish Rawat and Pritam Singh, who was the state president. Even his state in-charge Devendra Yadav did not become of Rawat. Rawat was also upset over not being declared the CM face. When the matter reached Delhi Durbar, Rahul Gandhi announced to contest the elections under the leadership of Harish Rawat, but did not declare him as CM face like Punjab. It is believed that due to this the Congress lost eight to ten seats.
BJP is looking for a new face for the post of CM
In Uttarakhand, no person could win the election while being the CM. This myth was not broken this time also. In 2012 the then CM BC Khanduri and in 2017 the then CM Harish Rawat could not save their seats. Now Pushkar Singh Dhami also lost the election in 2022. In such a situation, now BJP will be looking for a new face for the post of CM. Satpal Maharaj, who came from Congress to become CM, was active many times, but he did not get a chance. In such a situation, the question is whether the BJP will give him a chance or will he bet only on some old face of the party. Manipulation for this will start now.
The effect of polarization was also shown
Just before the election, Congress Vice President Aqueel Ahmed made a statement that if Congress comes to power, a Muslim University will be built in the state. BJP made it an election issue. Later Harish Rawat had to explain.
Former state president Kishor Upadhyay, who was once close to Harish Rawat, joined BJP just before the elections. Due to this the Congress suffered a major setback of Brahmin votes. This category has about 19 percent votes in Uttarakhand. In the last election, Kishor was snatched from his traditional Tehri seat and contested from Sahaspur seat of Dehradun. From here he lost, but this time Kishor Upadhyay won the election from Tehri.
Pushkar Singh Dhami by 6951 votes while Harish Rawat lost the election by 17359 votes.
Hot seats stuck in Mahamukabal
The seats of veterans in the hill state of Uttarakhand are stuck in a one-on-one contest. From CM Pushkar Singh Dhami to former CM Harish Rawat, they are trailing from their respective seats. On one hand, while the BJP is moving towards returning to power for the second time in a row, CM Dhami is lagging behind. Presently, he is trailing by nearly 7,000 votes over his nearest rival Bhuvan Kapri of Congress. This election is do or die situation for Congress leader and former CM Harish Rawat too. He is trailing by more than 16 thousand votes. After the defeat of this time, Rawat’s political innings is believed to end. Congress has lagged behind in the race for power.
The eyes are on the victory and defeat of these 5 leaders of Uttarakhand
- Pushkar Singh Dhami- Khatima, Udham Singh Nagar
- Harish Rawat- Lalkuan, Nainital
- Ganesh Godiyal- Srinagar, Pauri
- Anukriti Gusai- Lansdowne, Pauri
- Pritam Singh- Chakrata, Dehradun
Let us now tell which are those 5 seats in the state, which were most discussed and what was the status of the veterans…
Khatima: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is in the fray for the third time from Khatima assembly seat of Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. He is being contested by Bhuvan Kapri of Congress. At present, Kapri is moving ahead. In the 2012 assembly elections, Dhami had won by a margin of 5,394 votes. In 2017 despite the Modi wave, the margin of victory had narrowed. Dhami was able to win from the Congress by a margin of just 2,709 votes. Gopal Singh of Congress has been MLA from this seat in 2002 and 2007.
Why this is an important seat: Due to Pushkar Singh Dhami being the CM, this seat remains hot. This seat has also been influenced by the farmers’ movement. Therefore, there is a risk for Dhami on this seat. Earlier, two CMs have lost their seats.
What will be the effect: Pushkar Singh Dhami is a young face. Before becoming CM, he was only an MLA. His loss will affect his political career. However, his political journey is still long. Also, the message of the party’s decision will not go well.
Redwell : Former CM Harish Rawat is in the fray from Lalkuan assembly seat of Nainital district. Rawat is trailing from this seat by more than 10 thousand votes. In the event of the return of Congress to power in Uttarakhand, Rawat would have been the strongest contender for the post of CM. Dr. Mohan Singh Bisht is leading Rawat from BJP. In 2017, Naveen Dumka became MLA from this seat. This seat came into existence after delimitation in 2008.
Why is this seat important? Former CM Harish Rawat is in the fray, so this seat has become hot. Rawat had lost the election last time.
What will be the effect: If Harish Rawat loses the election, then this may prove to be the last election for him.
In the Srinagar seat, there was a close contest between Dhan Singh Rawat of BJP and Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal. Rawat defeated Godiyal by 247 votes.
Srinagar : Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal and BJP government minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat are facing each other from Srinagar seat of Pauri district. Last time Dhan Singh Rawat had defeated Godiyal in Modi wave, but this time Godiyal is trailing.
Why is this seat important: There is a direct contest between Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal and minister Dhan Singh Rawat. Just before the elections, the Congress had made Godiyal the state president of the party.
What will be the effect: If Ganesh Godiyal loses the election, then questions will arise regarding the post of state president.
BJP’s Dilip Rawat defeated Harak Singh Rawat’s daughter-in-law and Congress candidate Anukreethy Gusain by a margin of 8977 votes.
Lansdowne : Anukreethy Gusain, daughter-in-law of former minister Harak Singh Rawat, is in the field from Lansdowne in Pauri district. Apart from being a model, she has also been a TV presenter. Anukreethy is pitted against two-time BJP MLA Dilip Rawat. Rawat is leading from Anukreethy to Gusai. Harak Singh Rawat has been MLA from this seat in 2002, 2007, while Dilip Rawat has been MLA in 2012 and 2017.
Why is this important seat: This seat remains hot as the daughter-in-law of former cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat is in the fray.
What will be the effect: If Harak’s daughter-in-law loses the election, her political journey will end.
Former state president of Congress Pritam Singh defeated BJP’s Ramsharan Nautiyal by 9029 votes from Chakrata seat.
Baffle: Since the formation of Uttarakhand, Leader of Opposition Pritam Singh has been MLA for four consecutive terms from Chakrata assembly seat of Dehradun. This time the contest has become interesting with the BJP being in the ground of Ramsharan Nautiyal. The reason is that Nautiyal’s election campaign was handled by his son and famous singer Jubin Nautiyal, but Pritam Singh is close to victory.
Why is this seat important? Chakrata is the traditional seat of Pritam Singh. This time he was considered to be the second contender for the post of CM after Harish Rawat. That is why this seat had become special, but now Congress is not able to return to power.
What will be the effect: The chances of Pritam Singh losing are very less.
