‘Ghuspatiya Bachao Yatra’: Amit Shah Targets Rahul Gandhi's Vote Bachao Yatra

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced development projects worth Rs 1,508 crore for Uttarakhand and launched a political attack on Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, describing the opposition’s campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as a “Ghuspatiya Bachao Yatra”.

Speaking at an event marking the Uttarakhand Foundation Day celebrations, Shah, accompanied by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, said 63 projects involving inaugurations and foundation stone-laying ceremonies had been taken up. He said the projects reflected the BJP government’s commitment to recognising those who had contributed to the state’s development.

Shah and Dhami also presented the Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman to 15 individuals, along with Lifetime Achievement Awards and Bal Veerta Puraskars.

SHAH TARGETS RAHUL GANDHI OVER SIR CAMPAIGN

Taking aim at Rahul Gandhi, Shah said the Congress-led opposition’s “Vote Bachao” campaign was effectively a campaign to protect infiltrators.

“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?” he said.

Shah accused the Congress of pursuing a politics of appeasement, alleging that the party had opposed the construction of the Ram Mandir and encouraged the entry of infiltrators. He also criticised what he described as a proposal to grant a holiday for Friday prayers.

The Home Minister said the BJP had ended such practices and claimed that the party had delivered corruption-free governance over the past decade.

CONGRESS GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION

Shah invoked alleged corruption scandals during the tenure of former Chief Minister Harish Rawat to question the Congress's record in Uttarakhand.

He referred to alleged irregularities involving SC/ST scholarships, liquor policy and food supplies in the Kumaon region, as well as sting operations that he claimed had exposed corruption in the state Secretariat.

Asking voters to choose between a BJP government focused on development and a Congress government that he associated with corruption, Shah said the previous government had left Uttarakhand dependent on a “money-order economy” and migration.

He claimed the BJP had worked to reduce migration and develop an industrial economy in the state.

BJP CITES GROWTH IN TOURISM AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Shah said tourism in Uttarakhand had grown by 380 per cent, while the state's gross state domestic product (GSDP) had increased by 50 per cent since 2022. He also claimed that per capita income had risen by 40 per cent and industrial projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore were already on the ground.

Highlighting infrastructure development, Shah criticised previous governments for failing to build roads in border areas. He said the BJP government had strengthened connectivity and national security under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Referring to surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor, Shah said the government had demonstrated its willingness to respond to threats against India's borders.

He expressed confidence that the BJP would form the government in Uttarakhand for a third consecutive term, adding that Rahul Gandhi's visits to the state would not alter the political outcome.

UTTARAKHAND MARKS 26 YEARS OF STATEHOOD

Uttarakhand Foundation Day, also known as Uttarakhand Divas, is observed every year on November 9. The state was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000 and became India's 27th state.

As Uttarakhand approaches 26 years of statehood, the state government has identified infrastructure development in hilly regions, employment opportunities for young people and investment promotion as key priorities.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, the projects inaugurated and taken up for foundation stone-laying during Shah's visit are expected to strengthen basic infrastructure and accelerate development across the state.

Uttarakhand, located in the Himalayan foothills, shares international borders with China to the north and Nepal to the east. Its natural resources, rivers, forests and mountain landscapes also make tourism a significant part of its economy.

With inputs from ANI