The delay in announcement of candidates by the Congress for three out of five parliamentary constituencies in Uttarakhand has created uncertainty which could prove beneficial to candidates fielded by the BJP and other parties. The Congress has declared its candidates from Almora and Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar constituencies but is yet to declare its candidates from Tehri, Garhwal and Haridwar constituencies. However, those in the list of party ticket contenders like Saket Bahuguna, the son of ex-CM and former Tehri MP Vijay Bahuguna, have been communicating with the voters.
According to party sources, Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat is likely to be fielded from Garhwal constituency, Saket Bahuguna is likely to be fielded from Tehri, while CM Harish Rawat’s wife, Renuka Rawat, or daughter Anupama Rawat is likely to be fielded from Haridwar. However, there are multiple contenders for the party ticket from each of these constituencies. The Congress leaders state that the candidates for the three remaining constituencies in Uttarakhand are likely to be declared in the coming days.
However, political analysts point out that with the BJP candidates already having started campaigning in the five parliamentary constituencies, the candidates declared by the Congress from Haridwar, Tehri and Garhwal constituencies would have to work harder to make up for the lost time. CM Harish Rawat has campaigned for the party in Nainital and Almora seats apart from which he is seen to hold some influence over the voters in Haridwar constituency but the candidates cannot depend on the CM’s campaigning alone.
On Tuesday, Saket Bahuguna visited the Kalika temple during the flag hoisting ceremony and sought blessings of the goddess before visiting various areas including Paltan Bazaar, Moti Bazaar and Dispensary Road along with Rajpur Road MlA Rajkumar and other local Congress leaders. He appealed the public to vote for the Congress in the Parliamentary elections. On the occasion Saket expressed confidence about the Congress forming the next government at the Centre. He said that no wave would be able to prevent the Congress from forming the next government. “Our party is committed to development of the nation and State and will continue to facilitate development,” he said.
He also participated in a march organised by the Youth Congress in Dehradun on Tuesday. Saket’s interaction with the public is being seen as a sign of him expecting to be fielded by the party from Tehri.