Dehradun, 15 Oct: BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt today categorically asserted that the BJP will not tolerate outsiders residing in Uttarakhand with the intent of changing its demography under any circumstances. Addressing the media at the party’s state headquarters here today, Bhatt also countered the Congress party’s ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhor’ campaign, emphasising that in a democracy it is the people who elect governments, and the continuous blessings of the public reflect their approval of the BJP government’s developmental work. He urged the Congress to accept the mandates of 2017 and 2022 instead of relying on speculation, noting that the results are likely to be the same in 2027.
Responding to questions of the media persons, Bhatt stated that the government’s strict approach towards people seeking to disrupt the state’s social fabric and alter its demography is fully justified. He pointed out that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has already taken stern measures against practices like ‘Love Jihad’ and ‘Land Jihad’, which also relate to such demographic concerns. At the same time, he clarified that there is no restriction on the persons coming to the state from outside and that all persons are free to buy and sell land in accordance with state law. However, he warned that those involved in illegal encroachments on government or private land with malicious intent, or those engaged in activities aimed at spoiling the ‘Devbhoomi’ character of the state, will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The Rajya Sabha MP also claimed that the Dhami government is committed to ensuring that criminal and mischievous elements are strictly dealt with within the legal framework. He reminded that these issues are being addressed through measures such as the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, anti-conversion legislation, anti-riot laws, and action against illegal religious encroachments. The state is also conducting verification drives for suspicious persons under the Operation Kalnemi to ensure that outsiders acting with malintent are identified and appropriate action is taken. Bhatt asserted that the party fully supports the government’s efforts to prevent any tampering with the demographic composition of Devbhoomi.
Taking a dig at the Congress’s ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhor’ campaign, Bhatt reiterated that in a democracy it is the public that holds the authority to install or remove governments. He recalled that the public entrusted the BJP with power while relegating the Congress to the margins in the 2017 and 2022 assembly elections, and that the party secured a hat-trick of victories in the Lok Sabha elections, reaffirming its position as the people’s true representative. He alleged that the Congress is running such impractical and irresponsible campaigns out of frustration and disappointment after its consecutive electoral defeats. Bhatt also claimed that the Congress itself is the biggest offender in the ‘vote theft’ issue which it seeks to highlight. He added that, as the Congress has become directionless both at the state and national levels, its ambition of regaining power in 2027 is unlikely to materialise.
