Amit Shah Targets 65 Seats in Uttarakhand Elections, Blasts Congress Campaign

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged BJP workers to reach out to every household in Uttarakhand to secure victory in 65 out of the 70 assembly seats in the upcoming polls. Speaking at an event marking the state's 26th Foundation Day, Shah inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 62 development projects worth Rs 1,475.31 crore.

Attacks and Claims

Shah criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'vote bachao' campaign, terming it a 'ghuspathiya bachao' rally and demanding the removal of infiltrators from voter lists and the country. He also claimed that the state's tourism sector has recorded a 380 percent growth and stated that the government is shifting the focus from a money-order economy to an industrial one. Highlighting past electoral numbers, Shah noted that the BJP won 57 seats in 2017 and 47 seats in 2022.

Security and Border Projects

Referring to the 2016 surgical strikes, 2019 airstrikes, and 2025 Operation Sindoor, Shah said the central government has enhanced border security and worked to prevent migration. He mentioned that development projects worth Rs 270 crore are underway in 51 border villages under the Vibrant Village programme. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also spoke at the event, defending EVMs and criticizing the opposition over remarks directed at NSA Ajit Doval.

Context

Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh as a separate state and maintains strong strategic importance due to its international borders. State assembly elections determine the local government that manages regional development schemes, infrastructure projects, and tourism policies in the Himalayan region.