The Congress is holding public meets and rallies to “expose” the Bharatiya Janata Party across the State in view of the coming Vidhan Sabha elections while at the same time, the continued differences and friction between the Congress party leaders and the State Government’s alliance partner Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) has remained unresolved. After recently questioning the grounds and validity of the formation of the PDF, the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Kishore Upadhyay said that the official stand of the Congress regarding the PDF is expected to be clarified in the near future.
Addressing media persons at the Congress Bhawan here, the PCC chief averred that he had always made effort which was aimed at further strengthening the Congress party organisation and not for the purpose of securing a ticket to contest the polls. Referring to some statements made in the recent past by PDF leaders, the PCC chief criticised the leaders averring that making controversial statements does not behoove them. The Congress party had treated its alliance partner PDF with respect and in return also expects to be treated with respect by the alliance partner. Upadhyay further said that he had requested the Congress party high command to clarify the party’s position on whether the PDF leaders will contest the Vidhan Sabha elections slated to be held in 2017 on the Congress party symbol or not. The decision to form an alliance with the PDF to facilitate a Congress-led state government in Uttarakhand had been taken after due consultation with the party high command. This issue has also been communicated by the PCC chief to the Congress party state in charge and state co in charge of the party in Uttarakhand in response to which the higher ups in the party reportedly assured that the issue and party stand on it will be clarified soon.
Regarding the campaign of demonstrations and rallies being undertaken by the PCC against the BJP in various parts of Uttarakhand, Upadhyay averred that the demonstrations held so far had been a success with disillusionment of the public with the BJP-led Central Government becoming apparent.
He also informed that the monthly meeting of the PCC is slated to be held at Kausani in the Kumaon region on September 24 after which a state-wide mourning will be observed by the party on September 25 in memory of those killed in the terrorist strike at Uri in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.