With the party’s candidates largely banking on the “Modi wave” to carry them to victory, there is a palpable concern that the party’s own bench strength may not be up to the task of motivating and mobilizing the electorate in the absence of the Prime Minister’s frequent visits to the state
Amit Pandey
The impending Uttarakhand state elections in 2024 are shaping up to be a hard-fought and fiercely contested affair, with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) facing unique challenges that could determine the outcome.
For the BJP, the primary obstacle lies in its heavy reliance on the towering persona of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With the party’s candidates largely banking on the “Modi wave” to carry them to victory, there is a palpable concern that the party’s own bench strength may not be up to the task of motivating and mobilizing the electorate in the absence of the Prime Minister’s frequent visits to the state.
“The BJP’s strategy in Uttarakhand seems to be heavily dependent on the Modi factor,” observed Sanjay Mishra, a political analyst based in Dehradun. “While the Prime Minister’s popularity remains high, it’s unclear if the party’s local candidates possess the same level of mass appeal and charisma to generate the kind of enthusiasm and voter turnout that the BJP has come to expect.”
This dynamic is further exacerbated by the logistical challenges of Modi’s schedule, which may limit his ability to devote significant time and resources to the Uttarakhand campaign. “The Prime Minister has a national agenda and a busy calendar, and it’s simply not feasible for him to be present in Uttarakhand as frequently as the BJP would like,” Mishra added.
On the other hand, the Congress party in Uttarakhand faces its own set of hurdles, chief among them the issue of the Agnipath scheme and the lingering concerns over unemployment. The party’s efforts to capitalize on these perceived weaknesses of the BJP have been complicated by internal divisions and a lack of a cohesive, long-term vision for the state.
“The Congress has a strong case to make on the Agnipath scheme, which has sparked widespread protests and concerns among the youth in Uttarakhand,” said Meena Sharma, a political commentator based in Nainital. “However, the party’s own messaging and candidate selection have been a mixed bag, failing to present a unified and compelling alternative to the BJP’s narrative.”
Moreover, the Congress party’s struggles with unemployment and economic distress in the state have been further exacerbated by the pandemic’s impact on the tourism and hospitality sectors, which are vital to Uttarakhand’s economy.
“Unemployment and the lack of economic opportunities have always been key issues in Uttarakhand, and the Congress should have a clear and convincing plan to address these concerns,” Sharma noted. “But the party’s internal squabbles and the perceived lack of a strong, charismatic leader have made it challenging for them to gain traction on these crucial matters.”
As both parties navigate these complex challenges, the upcoming Uttarakhand elections are likely to be a closely watched and hotly contested affair, with the outcome potentially having broader implications for the political landscape in the state and beyond.
“Uttarakhand is a state with a unique political dynamic, where local issues and personalities often take precedence over national trends,” observed Mishra. “While the BJP’s reliance on the Modi factor and the Congress’s internal struggles are certainly noteworthy, the eventual winner may well be the party that can best connect with the state’s diverse electorate and address their specific concerns.”
The Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal seat is most interesting with a tough tussle because both opponents were better from their party. Trivendra Singh Rawat and Anil Balooni both are the leaders of capacity and maturity. But they are receiving tough challenges from Sunil Rawat, a son of former chief minister and Congress stalwart Harish Rawat, and Ganesh Godiwal, a senior leader from the Congress. Moreover, Ajay Tamta from the Nainital-Almora seat is not much tense as the hilly area is not much challenged for the BJP, but three seats of the BJP are more tough to clear.
In between the battle, Mayawati has issued a candidacy from her party in Haridwar, and the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal is combating on all five seats with the agenda of deforestation and the Ankita murder case, which is still not decided by the Uttarakhand government. Though they will not make more echoes, the votes that will be aggregated by these parties must affect the BJP candidate because the double-engine government is operating from the last decade. With all of the view, the battle of Uttarakhand stands very serious, tough, and interesting by the point of the result of “Abki Baar 400 Par.”
With the election season just around the corner, both the BJP and the Congress will be under intense scrutiny as they strive to capture the imagination of the Uttarakhand voters and secure a victory that could have far-reaching consequences for the state and the country as a whole.
Beyond the challenges posed by the Agnipath scheme and unemployment, the Congress party in Uttarakhand is also focusing on several other key issues in its campaign for the 2024 state elections:
“The Congress party is trying to present a more holistic and grassroots-oriented vision for Uttarakhand, moving beyond the traditional focus on national issues,” said Meena Sharma, the political commentator. “However, the party’s ability to effectively communicate and execute these plans will be crucial in their bid to challenge the BJP’s dominance in the state.”
As the election campaign gathers momentum, the Congress will need to strike a delicate balance between addressing local concerns and aligning its messaging with the broader national narrative, all while navigating the complex political dynamics within the party itself.
