Before ending his three-day trip to Uttarakhand, BJP national president Nitin Nabin met party workers at every level from booth presidents to state leaders. He signaled that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami would continue as the party’s main candidate for the 2027 state elections.
Key points from Nabin’s initial visit as party president follow.
Leadership questions addressed?
Following repeated rumors of internal divisions in the Uttarakhand BJP and possible leadership shifts, Nabin publicly commended Dhami’s performance during the trip.
At a meeting with experts in Dehradun on Saturday, Nabin noted that all Indians took pride in the Uttarakhand chief minister for enacting the Uniform Civil Code and serving as a model for other states.
On state development efforts, Nabin stated that progress on the Ganga riverfront and Haridwar Corridor would bring benefits and that effective governance would continue in 2027 under current leadership.
A statement from BJP headquarters reinforced this position clearly.
Poll readiness assessment
Party sources indicated Nabin examined assembly segments and booths where the BJP had narrow losses in 2022 or weaker results in the 2024 national polls.
A senior functionary noted that senior state leaders would be assigned to these areas. They will conduct meetings with booth committees from June through August, pinpoint local concerns, and work with the government on solutions.
MPs are also expected to focus on assembly seats lost by small margins in 2022.
In the 2022 assembly polls for 70 seats, 23 were won by margins under 5,000 votes. The BJP secured 47 seats and retained power, though Dhami lost in Khatima before winning a bypoll in Champawat. Congress took 19 seats, with BSP and independents each gaining two.
Of those 23 tight races, BJP won 13, Congress nine, and BSP one.
Most BJP setbacks occurred in the Haridwar, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, and Almora parliamentary areas. Local MPs are set to lead outreach efforts there.
Consistent with his organizational emphasis, Nabin spent about six hours at the state headquarters in Dehradun on day one, meeting core committee members and ministers to assess performance and party matters.
The next day he held sessions with MPs, MLAs, office bearers, and local representatives. He instructed lawmakers to increase rural engagement and connect with at least 100 influential figures per constituency.
Nabin also visited a Dalit booth president’s home in the Mussoorie area, shared refreshments with the family, and gathered input on government and party work before addressing nearby booth committees.
A state spokesperson said the visit linked workers from booth level to top leadership and activated preparations for the 2027 elections.
Additional activities
Nabin began his trip on Thursday and joined the Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh on Friday. On Saturday he met religious figures in Rishikesh and visited a temple in Dehradun. He later spoke to young people at an event and addressed students and academics at a conclave on higher education’s role in national development.
Digital outreach effort
Nabin encouraged office bearers to use social media more to counter Congress narratives aimed at younger voters. Reports on leaders’ online activity reportedly showed concern over low engagement by some legislators.
