Mussoorie, 9 Nov: Congress State President Karan Mahara, who arrived at the Martyrs’ Memorial here to pay tribute on the occasion of Uttarakhand Formation Day, launched a scathing attack on the state government. He said that the BJP government has ignored the sentiments of the agitators and martyrs.
Mahara broke the fast of agitator Kamal Bhandari, who was on a fast at the Mussoorie Martyrs’ Memorial, and said that he would discuss his plight with the government.
Karan Mahara, who reached the Martyrs’ Memorial, said that the state of Uttarakhand rests on the sacrifices of the agitators who sacrificed their lives. Mahara said that today those agitators and their families are waiting for justice, while the government has forgotten the soul of Uttarakhand—the martyrs. He said that the celebrations will be meaningful only when the state government makes Uttarakhand the state of the martyrs’ dreams, not just a state of announcements.
Speaking to reporters, Mahara questioned the announcement of approximately Rs 8,000 crore worth of schemes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Uttarakhand. He said the same story was repeated in Bihar. Before the elections, Rs 80,000 crore were announced there too, but today the people of Bihar are asking where that money went. Mahara alleged that the Rs 2,200 crore scheme announced in Haldwani has not been implemented even after three years. He said, “It is easy to make announcements, but difficult to implement them. The Prime Minister visits Uttarakhand again and again, but the promises remain the same old ones.”
Mahara also asked the Prime Minister why he visited Uttarakhand when the Ankit Bhandari murder case occurred, but he did not say a single word on the subject. Mahara asked, “Can’t the issue of getting justice for the daughter of Uttarakhand find a place in the Prime Minister’s speeches?” He also questioned the state government’s preparedness for the recent disasters. He said that when the disaster struck Tharali, only candles were sent five days later. The government has neither planning nor management. It’s not even known how many people have died. Mahara explained that the state government had requested Rs 5,700 crore from the central government for disaster relief, but the central government approved only Rs 1,200 crore. He said that the Dhami government spent Rs 1,000 crore on its own branding and publicity—spending it on advertising, not on the public.
The Congress president expressed concern over the state’s financial situation. He said that the situation is so dire today that the government is having to take loans even to pay employees’ salaries. Mahara said that the double-engine government has trapped Uttarakhand in a debt trap. Debt has increased fivefold in the last 10 years.”
Regarding Prime Minister Modi’s Dehradun rally, Mahara alleged that schools and students were being exploited for political purposes. Notices were issued to government schools urging students to attend the rally. He said that BJP flags were placed on buses. Some schools even announced that students attending the rally would receive 50 extra marks in their internal exams.
Mahara said that the government should have discussed the state’s development, new technology, and disaster management during the Assembly session, but the discussion was limited to “spreading confusion”. Referring to recruitment scams and paper leaks, he said that despite enacting anti-cheating laws, no concrete action was taken. Corruption is rampant. Speaking about the problems of farmers, Mahara said that horticultural farmers, whether they grow apples, peaches, guavas, or apricots, feel betrayed by the government’s policies. He said that farmers have been cheated in the name of subsidies and support prices. Farmers are forced to protest in Dehradun with bowls in their hands.
The Congress state president said that the public is now fed up with the BJP’s policies. Mahara claimed that the opposition has won by-elections in Badrinath, Haridwar, and Mangalore. “Our vote percentage is steadily increasing. Congress will form a full majority government in Uttarakhand in 2027.”
Karan Mahara stated that the Congress party opposed the construction of the Kedarnath Temple in Burari, the foundation stone of which was laid by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Mahara said that the Kedarnath Temple is not just a matter of faith; it is also an issue related to employment and livelihood. When devotees visit Kedarnath, everyone from horse and mule drivers to local shopkeepers earns a living.
Karan Mahara said that the time has come for the people of the state to resolve to realise the vision of the martyrs and agitators. He said, “We want to create an Uttarakhand that is not only about faith, but also about employment and livelihood.”
