Amit Shah Appeals for BJP's Third Consecutive Term in Uttarakhand During Haridwar Rally
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a significant public gathering in Haridwar on Saturday, made a fervent appeal to the electorate to return the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in Uttarakhand for a third consecutive term. The meeting, held to mark the completion of four years of the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led state government and nine years of BJP rule in Uttarakhand, was transformed into a full-fledged election rally as the minister elaborated extensively on the party's accomplishments.
Vision for Uttarakhand's Development and Governance Milestones
"If the BJP forms the government again, Uttarakhand will rise to become the most developed state in the country," Shah declared confidently. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects collectively valued at over Rs 1,100 crore, underscoring the government's commitment to infrastructural and economic growth. Shah emphasized that under the BJP's leadership, no recommendations or bribes are required for securing government jobs in Uttarakhand, as evidenced by the distribution of appointment letters to 1,900 policemen during the event.
The Home Minister praised the Dhami administration for implementing an anti-copying law and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), while also expressing optimism that the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh in 2027 would set new records. He inaugurated an exhibition on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), which has replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, describing its implementation in Uttarakhand as a landmark achievement and asserting that it would be rolled out nationwide by 2028.
Citizenship for Refugees and Electoral Integrity
On the contentious issue of citizenship, Shah reiterated the government's resolve to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan who have faced religious persecution. "We are resolved to grant citizenship to all those refugees who had been denied this so far; however strong Rahul Gandhi and the INDI alliance may oppose," he stated. He highlighted that under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 162 individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan have already received Indian citizenship in Uttarakhand, symbolizing the government's dedication to this cause.
Simultaneously, Shah stressed the importance of maintaining a flawless voters list for a robust democracy. "It is essential for a strong democracy to cut off from the voters' list the names of those who are not Indian citizens," he remarked, emphasizing the need to weed out infiltrators from across the country.
Historical Context and National Achievements
Shah reminded the audience that the Congress party had opposed the formation of Uttarakhand, crediting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for its creation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its development. He listed several historic achievements under the BJP-led central government, including:
- The repeal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
- The development of temple corridors in Ujjain's Mahakal and Kashi Vishwanath.
- The renovation of Badrinath and Kedarnath temples.
These accomplishments, according to Shah, reflect the government's commitment to cultural and national rejuvenation.
The rally in Haridwar served as a platform for the BJP to showcase its governance record and outline future plans, positioning the party strongly ahead of the upcoming state elections. With a focus on development, security, and cultural heritage, Amit Shah's address aimed to consolidate support for a third term in Uttarakhand.
