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Ajay Uprety
Ajay Uprety

ASSEMBLY POLLS

Modi-magic wins over PK's GK in Uttarakhand

PTI3_7_2017_000190A [File photo] Narendra Modi

Anti-incumbency, charges of corruption, poor governance and rebellion within party cadre led to Congress' humiliating defeat

Ever since its formation, the BJP and the Congress has been alternatively sharing power in the small hilly state of Uttarakhand. And hence, going by the tradition, since Congress was ruling the state for the past five years, it was time for the BJP to return to power.

Undoubtedly, the Modi magic worked here, too. 'PK (Prashant Kishore)’s GK (general knowledge)' that the Congress had banked on to ensure party’s victory failed. The BJP easily made a clean sweep in the state as anti-incumbency, charges of corruption, poor governance and rebellion within the party cadre led Congress to a humiliating defeat. 

The Congress government led by chief minister Harish Rawat failed to read the obvious. There have been strong allegations against the ruling government minting huge money through illegal mining and doling out liquor licences to its favourite players. 

In 2015, the government came out with a new excise policy that suited the interest of those who paid ‘cuts’ to Harish Rawat and his coterie. 

After assuming power in the state, Harish Rawat failed to take along other senior Congress leaders with him and this back-fired during the polls. A few such names include Kishore Upadhaya, the state PCC chief, Harak Singh Rawat and even the former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, who later joined the BJP. 

Mishandling of the Kedarnath tragedy by the then Congress government also led to votes in BJP’s favour.

Rebellion in the Congress camp also weakened its chances of winning the polls. For instance, the Congress expelled its 24 rebel MLAs, which in turn, led to factionalism and anti-incumbency.

Add to this, the Modi-magic, which was quite enchanting. Despite not coming out with a CM-face in the state, the voters supported the BJP. Modi had great acceptability among voters in Uttarakhand compared to Rahul Gandhi. Modi and Amit Shah had personally handled the campaign and supervised the distribution of candidate tickets. 

In addition, it seems people of Uttarakhand also accepted demonetisation move of the Modi-government. 

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