Cong rally was flop show, crowd hired by Opposition party: Mahendra Bhatt

my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Feb: Uttarakhand BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt today termed the Congress rally in the state capital today a flop show. In a statement issued today, Bhatt alleged that the crowd largely comprised hired people and supporters who were raising slogans in favour of a Muslim University. He also claimed that the poor public response to the programme reflects growing distance between the people and what he described as the Congress party’s negative politics.
Bhatt claimed that the rally appeared disconnected from the issues earlier announced by the Congress. Instead, he alleged that slogans relating to a Muslim University dominated the gathering. He said that while the Congress has been attacking the state government over alleged demographic changes and issues such as encroachment in Dhaulas and other parts of the state, but the visual messaging at the rally reflected a different priority. He described the protest as an unsuccessful attempt to spread confusion and misinformation.
The BJP State president claimed that the limited public participation in the rally indicates that the state has moved ahead on the path of development while the Congress remains politically adrift. He said the ruling party views the coming year as an opportunity to accelerate development, whereas the Congress leadership appears focused on political manoeuvring. He also pointed to the banners reportedly demanding restoration of the Madrasa Board and raising the issue of a Muslim University, stating that these reflected what he termed a contradiction in the Congress position.
Bhatt asserted that the government has undertaken extensive development and welfare initiatives during the past 4 years and has fulfilled commitments made to the people. He added that the government intends to exceed expectations in the remaining tenure. He claimed that the citizens can see all-round development in the state and that data from central agencies supports these claims. Efforts to preserve the cultural and spiritual identity of Devbhoomi while pursuing welfare-oriented governance are continuing, he said.
Responding to criticism from the opposition, Bhatt said the Congress is uncomfortable with the manner in which the present government has addressed issues pending since the formation of the state. He alleged that earlier Congress governments allowed corruption to grow, whereas the current dispensation has acted against it. Referring to recruitment reforms, he said the government has dismantled organised cheating networks and provided employment to a large number of youth. He also referred to steps taken on demographic concerns and implementation of long-pending reservations for women and statehood activists.
Bhatt said that on various issues where the Congress is attempting to create doubt, the people of the state stand with the BJP government. He remarked that the opposition may believe repeated allegations would turn into accepted truth, but asserted that the electorate in the state is politically aware and has consistently supported the BJP in elections.
He further alleged that while senior Congress leaders have avoided public clarity on the issue of a Muslim University, banners supporting the demand were clearly visible at the rally held today. He also criticised what he described as selective positioning on issues of religious and educational institutions.
Bhatt said the Congress needs to reflect on why public participation in its political programmes is declining. According to him, the people are satisfied with the work of the Dhami government and are not aligning with the opposition’s campaigns. He added that the Congress leadership in the capital was able to gather only around 5,000 people, while a separate public event addressed by Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat reportedly drew about 3,000 attendees at another venue, which he said indicates public mood in the state.