The 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly election is still six months away, but both the BJP and Congress have begun preparing for the contest.
Within days of each other, BJP national president Nitin Nabin and Leader of the Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi visited the state to review organisational work and meet party workers, underlining the importance both parties attach to Uttarakhand.
For the BJP, Uttarakhand has emerged as one of its most dependable electoral bases. The party now faces the challenge of securing a third consecutive term, something no party has achieved since the state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000.
For much of Uttarakhand's political history, power alternated between the BJP and the Congress. That pattern was broken in 2022 when the BJP retained power despite facing anti-incumbency and internal dissent.
The party enters the next election from a position of strength. In 2022, it won 47 of the state's 70 Assembly seats with a vote share of 44.3 per cent.
The Congress secured 19 seats and improved its vote share to 37.9 per cent from 33.5 per cent in 2017. In the previous election, the BJP had won 57 seats.
Despite losing 10 seats between 2017 and 2022, the BJP kept a comfortable majority. Congress did better than before, but remained far from power.
The result showed a pattern that has come to hurt the Congress in multiple state polls. Despite a decent share of votes, these could not be turned into seats.
This is where the BJP’s war machinery, its election template, and its emphasis on roping in new voters, members and cadre comes in to win the final race. It is here that most Opposition parties lose.
During his recent visit, Nitin Nabin reviewed booth-level preparations, outreach programmes, and organisational plans for the 2027 election. Party leaders discussed strengthening work in weaker constituencies and improving coordination between the government and the organisation.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami remains the BJP's principal face in the state. Though he lost his Khatima seat in the 2022 election, he returned to the Assembly through a by-election and continues to lead the government. The BJP has indicated it will fight the next election under his leadership.
Uttarakhand's religious significance remains an important part of the state's political landscape. The state is home to major pilgrimage centres including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
The Dhami government has highlighted initiatives such as the Uniform Civil Code, expansion of religious tourism, and infrastructure projects linked to pilgrimage routes.
Preparations for the 2027 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar are also expected to feature prominently in the run-up to the election. With the event scheduled close to the Assembly polls, it is likely to remain a major focus in the political campaign.
Alongside these issues, voters continue to grapple with concerns over migration from hill districts, unemployment, healthcare and infrastructure. Migration from rural and mountainous regions remains one of the state's long-standing challenges.
The Congress hopes to build its campaign around these concerns. Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to Almora and Pauri Garhwal was aimed at energising the party organisation and engaging with different sections of society.
His proposed interaction with ex-servicemen reflected the importance of military families in a state that contributes significantly to the armed forces. Part of the visit, however, was curtailed because of bad weather.
Later Rahul Gandhi wrote on the X:
“I had so many things to discuss with you—about the current situation in Uttarakhand, about the economic and social issues of the state, about the state and your future, and about those challenges that Uttarakhand is facing today. A significant meeting and session with ex-servicemen was also scheduled in Pauri Garhwal. Additionally, there was a program planned for Deepak to visit the gym in Kotdwar."
He promised to return soon.
The Congress is also working to strengthen its organisation ahead of the election. While the party has sought to raise issues such as migration and unemployment, it continues efforts to expand its reach at the grassroots level before campaigning formally begins.
With the election still months away, both parties are focused on building their organisations and sharpening their strategies.
The BJP is looking to retain power for a third straight term, while the Congress is seeking a route back into contention in a state where electoral contests have often remained closely watched.
