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Hon’ble Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed a public rally in favour of BJP candidate from Garhwal Shri Anil Baluni in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand on Tuesday and highlighted the developmental initiatives undertaken by CM Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, as well as the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Uttarakhand. He also criticized the Congress party for their lack of accountability regarding the work done in Uttarakhand during their tenure. During the event, Uttarakhand CM Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand BJP President Shri Mahendra Bhatt, Former CM Shri Tirath Singh Rawat, Lok Sabha MP Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Cabinet Minister Shri Satpal Maharaj and Garhwal Lok Sabha Candidate Shri Anil Baluni were also present on the stage.
Shri Shah sought blessings from revered pilgrimage sites such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib before commencing his speech. Shri Amit Shah emphasized the significance of the day, mentioning that it is ‘Ashtami’ and tomorrow is Ramnavmi. Shri Shah noted that after 500 years, Ram Lalla will celebrate his birthday in his grand temple, marking a historic occasion where he won’t be residing in a hut or tent anymore. Shri Shah highlighted how for 70 years, Congress delayed the resolution of the Ram Mandir issue, but under the Modi government, the verdict was reached and the ‘Pran Pratishta’ was performed within 5 years. Shri Amit Shah expressed that every citizen will be moved to tears of joy on the historic occasion of Ramnavmi.
Hon’ble Union Home Minister highlighted that the demand for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has been persistent since the time of Bharatiya Jan Sangh. Shri Shah proudly announced that under CM Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand has become the first state to implement the UCC. Prime Minister Shri Narenda Modi has pledged the implementation of UCC nationwide in the BJP’s Sankalp Patra. Shri Shah highlighted that despite Uttarakhand’s relatively low population, every fourth soldier in the Indian Army hails from the state, demonstrating their significant contribution to safeguarding ‘Maa Bharti’.
Shri Shah emphasized that while Indira Gandhi’s government promised ‘One Rank One Pension’, it remained unfulfilled for years. However, after Uttarakhand gave all its five seats to BJP and elected Shri Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in 2014, he fulfilled the promise of ‘One Rank One Pension’ and distributed ₹70,000 directly to the bank accounts of army personnel.
Hon’ble Union Home Minister emphasized that every vote cast for the ‘Lotus’ symbol and candidate Shri Anil Baluni from Pauri Garhwal will strengthen Shri Narendra Modi’s path to becoming Prime Minister for the third time. Making Shri Narendra Modi the Prime Minister signifies the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, a goal achievable only through ‘Viksit Uttarakhand’. Making Shri Narendra Modi the Prime Minister will lead to India becoming the third-largest economy globally and creating 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didi’.
Shri Shah pointed out that Congress has a history of not being transparent about their governance achievements. During their 10-year tenure, Congress allocated only ₹53,000 crore to Uttarakhand, whereas PM Shri Narendra Modi’s government provided ₹1 lakh 66 thousand crore, three times more in grant-in-aid. This includes ₹82,000 crore for infrastructure, ₹31,000 crore for roads, ₹50,000 crore for railways, and ₹100 crore for airports. Shri Shah highlighted that despite these substantial investments, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami continues to advocate for more development in Uttarakhand, which is now visibly on the path of progress, fulfilling the aspirations of its people.
Hon’ble Union Home Minister emphasized the importance of promoting tourism to curb migration in Uttarakhand. Shri Amit Shah mentioned that PM Shri Narendra Modi allocated ₹12,000 crore for the construction of the 900 km long Char Dham National Highway between Gangotri and Yamunotri, which boosted tourism in the region. Additionally, the construction of the ₹8000 crore Delhi-Dehradun economic corridor and the ₹2200 crore national highway project in Tanakpur have been undertaken. Furthermore, nearly ₹17,000 crore has been allocated for three new railway track projects, and ₹23,000 crore for a 14 km long tunnel for Devprayag and Janasu, all aimed at boosting infrastructure and tourism in Uttarakhand.
Shri Shah highlighted that 23 railway lines and flyovers have been constructed in 5 years, and inauguration of railway stations is underway. Additionally, helicopter services have been expanded, and the development work for the Dehradun airport, with an investment of ₹50 crore, is being undertaken by the BJP government. Shri Amit Shah pointed out that to prevent migration, Shri Narendra Modi has launched the Vibrant Village Program, which aims to curb migration from the hills. Shri Shah highlighted a statement by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, questioning the relevance of Kashmir to the people of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Shri Amit Shah emphasized that if anyone has shed the most blood to save Kashmir, it’s the brave soldiers from the entire Garhwal region. Shri Amit Shah criticized the Congress for disrespecting brave warriors like Bipin Rawat.
Shri Amit Shah highlighted that Congress had neglected to address and revoke Article 370 throughout its 70-year tenure, while PM Shri Narendra Modi abolished Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and permanently incorporated Kashmir as an integral part of India. Under the Congress government, infiltrators came to India and executed terror activity, and the government did not utter a statement on it. But after Shri Narendra Modi became Prime Minister the vision and perspective changed. Within 10 days of the Pulwama and Uri attacks, the Indian Army did Surgical and Airstrike simultaneously in Pakistan and gave them a befitting reply.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah highlighted that PM Shri Modi undertook the task of granting citizenship to Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs who had been living in distress for 70 years through the implementation of the CAA. Shri Shah pointed out that Shri Narendra Modi has worked to infuse new life and energy into over 60 crore impoverished individuals in the last ten years. More than 80 crore people have been provided with free ration, over 12 crore toilets have been constructed, and homes have been provided to over 4 crore individuals. Shri Narendra Modi guarantees that in the next five years, three crores more homes will be provided to the poor. Additionally, 10 crore people have been provided with piped water connections, and 10 crore women have been given Ujjwala gas connections. Shri Shah stated that in the next five years, every household will receive piped gas connections. Shri Shah pointed out that CM Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami has worked tirelessly to ensure that all of Shri Narendra Modi’s schemes reach every household. Shri Amit Shah mentioned that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shri Anil Baluni established an ICU in the area, inaugurated a planetarium in the district headquarters, and installed a Doppler radar. Shri Shah emphasized that Shri Narendra Modi needs a companion who can ensure the Vibrant Village Program reaches every village in Uttarakhand, and Shri Anil Baluni is the perfect candidate for this task. Shri Amit Shah pointed out that Shri Narendra Modi has opened the path to prosperity for small mountain farmers by promoting schemes like the Anna Yojna and the promotion of millets and in the coming days, BJP government will work to export these millets worldwide.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah pointed out that during the formation of Uttarakhand state, the Congress party opposed it and resorted to firing at Rampur Tiraha, firing upon the youth of Uttarakhand. He emphasized that Uttarakhand was formed by the BJP, spearheaded by Shri Atal Bihari Bajpayee, and now Shri Narendra Modi is working to develop Uttarakhand further. Shri Amit Shah highlighted PM Shri Modi’s statement that the third decade belongs to Uttarakhand. Shri Amit Shah highlighted that the Congress party claims that if BJP gets 400 seats, reservation will be abolished. He emphasized that for the past ten years, BJP has had a clear majority, and Shri Narendra Modi is the biggest supporter of reservation. BJP will ensure that reservations for Dalits, Tribals, and OBCs are not removed.
Hon’ble Union Home Minister mentioned that the Congress party is deteriorating morally. Shri Amit Shah ridiculed Congress leader K.C. Venugopal’s statement about BJP leaders joining the Congress, saying that Venugopal himself is unaware that there is a queue in the Congress for leaving the party. If the Bharatiya Janata Party accommodates all Congress leaders, there will be nothing left in the Congress except for an office.
Shri Shah stated that Garhwal is the stronghold of India’s security, and it has contributed significantly to the nation’s construction and defence. The essence of the nation’s identity also resides in Garhwal’s pilgrimage sites. Garhwal needs a representative who will develop it and work towards strengthening the nation. Shri Amit Shah appealed to the people to press the ‘Lotus’ symbol and make BJP victorious and to elect Shri Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third time.