Amit Shah launched Rs 1,508 crore in development projects during Uttarakhand's Foundation Day and heavily criticized Rahul Gandhi's political stance, labeling opposition rallies as a platform for supporting infiltrators in the state.
Amit Shah Criticizes Rahul Gandhi During Uttarakhand Visit
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday attacked Lok Sabha Ledaer of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, dubbing the recent opposition rallies over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as "Ghuspatiya Bachao Yatra". While speaking at an event for the Uttarakhand Foundation Day ceremony, Union Home Minister Shah was welcomed by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. During the event, Uttarakhand was gifted development projects worth over Rs 1,475 crore. A large number of people gathered to take part in the celebrations.
He and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured 15 individuals with the 'Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman', along with recipients of the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' and 'Bal Veerta Puraskar'. A large number of people gathered for the celebrations. Shah said 63 projects, covering both foundation stones and inaugurations of completed works, worth ₹1,508 crore were taken up on the day. "This signifies that the BJP government takes pride in honouring all those who have contributed toward making Uttarakhand a great state," he said.
Political Allegations Against Congress
Taking aim at Gandhi, Shah said, "Rahul baba's 'Vote Bachao' yatra is more like a 'Ghuspatiya Bachao Yatra'! Should the infiltrators be driven out of this 'Devbhoomi' and out of India, or not? Rahul-ji, your narrative—this false narrative—is something the people of India cannot digest. They have not abandoned their path of appeasement. They even proposed granting a holiday for Friday prayers." He alleged that the Congress had not abandoned appeasement, claiming it proposed a holiday for Friday prayers, opposed the Ram Mandir and encouraged infiltrators.
"They opposed the construction of the Ram Mandir and encouraged the influx of infiltrators. They were formulating policies aimed at demographic change. All of these things have been put to an end by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Over the last 10 years, we have provided a corruption-free administration. During Harish Rawat's tenure, the Secretariat became a hub for kickbacks and commissions—as exposed in various 'sting' operations. The SC/ST scholarship scam, the liquor policy 'sting' operation, the Kumaon food supply scam- the Congress government was involved in numerous scandals," he added.
Development and Growth Claims
Urging voters to choose between "a development-oriented government led by the BJP, or a government led by 'Rahul Baba', one synonymous with corruption," Shah alleged that the Congress left Uttarakhand dependent on a "money-order economy" and migration. He said the BJP had worked to curb migration and build an industrial economy, adding that tourism has grown 380% in the state. " They never built roads—they used to claim that if roads were built, China or other enemies would be able to enter. We, however, built roads; and under Modi-ji, we have built a nation so strong that no one dares to even touch India's borders. And for those who dared, the Modi-led BJP government conducted surgical strikes and operations like 'Operation Sindoor'—to eliminate them," he said.
Shah said the state's GSDP has grown 50 per cent since 2022 and per capita income by 40 per cent, with industrial projects worth ₹1 lakh crore already on the ground. "I am confident that in the upcoming elections, a BJP government will be formed for the third time. Rahul ji, your visits to the state will not make any difference. Under the guidance of Modi ji, Dhami ji is actively driving development in Uttarakhand," he said.
About Uttarakhand Statehood
Uttarakhand Foundation Day, also known as Uttarakhand Divas, is observed annually on November 9. The state was formed in the year 2000 as the 27th state of India, carved out of Uttar Pradesh. Largely a hilly state and located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, the state has international boundaries with China (Tibet) in the north and Nepal in the east. According to an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office, as Uttarakhand marks 26 years of statehood, it is moving toward new possibilities of growth.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government is placing special emphasis on bolstering basic infrastructure in hilly regions, generating employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth, and developing the state into a premier hub for investment and tourism. "The inauguration and foundation stone laying of these proposed projects by Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be a crucial step in this direction. These initiatives are expected to expand basic infrastructure and accelerate the pace of development across the state," the CMO's tatement read. The state is known to be rich in natural resources, especially water and forests, with numerous glaciers, rivers, dense forests, and snow-clad mountain peaks. (ANI)
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