The Congress has stepped up its assaults on the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Bharatiya Janata Occasion authorities amid a wave of protests at present sweeping throughout Uttarakhand demanding justice within the Ankita Bhandari homicide case. Ganesh Godiyal (59), the newly appointed state Congress president, not too long ago launched a state-wide ‘Nyay Yatra’ for Bhandari’s trigger. Congress is looking for to capitalize on the anger brought on by the difficulty forward of 2027 parliamentary elections. Godiyal spoke to The Indian Categorical concerning the Bhandari case, his get together’s stand and roadmap and different points. excerpt:
*You might have been named in a defamation go well with filed by a Bharatiya Janata Occasion official whose title is allegedly linked to the Ankita Bhandari homicide case. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami additionally alleged that the Congress was attempting to sensationalize the incident. How do you view this column?
We have been reacting to content material revealed by the ex-wife of a BJP MLA, an audio clip during which a senior BJP chief purports to be an alleged VIP who Bhandari had refused sexual leisure to earlier than his homicide. They introduced it up and we mentioned that such critical allegations must be investigated by the federal government. The courtroom has issued such order because it deems acceptable and we’re requesting an investigation into the newly surfaced names. I’m a celebration to the litigation and intend to face the developments within the litigation.
As for the CM being charged with conspiracy as a result of we held a press convention in Delhi, I used to be in Delhi when these clips got here out and I needed to be there longer, so I held the press convention there. Delhi is positioned on this nation. I’ve by no means been overseas to speak about this concern. If they’re accusing us of conspiracy, they need to show it to their very own investigative company.
* How does the Nyay Yatra demanding justice on this case intend to mobilize folks in opposition to the federal government’s alleged inaction?
All through the yatra, we visited each block in every district and made the residents conscious of how detached the federal government is to our calls for and sentiments. As a political get together, we’ve a duty to achieve out to folks and inform them about how authorities works.
A number of civil society organizations have referred to as for a bandh on January eleventh, and we’ve prolonged our help to it. We requested folks to affix us in supporting peaceable, non-violent protests.
The whole state is anxious concerning the incident as there’s a whiff of involvement of BJP leaders within the incident. The federal government has been evading the CBI investigation for over three years and an investigation is required. Now, the CM mentioned he would take heed to Ankita’s dad and mom, who had been demanding a CBI probe beneath the supervision of a decide from the start.
*Is the Congress able to tackle the Bharatiya Janata Occasion within the 2027 meeting polls?
Distress, unemployment, ruthlessness of the federal government, vanity of the Bharatiya Janata Occasion – these are the most important points we will likely be elevating forward of the elections. There may be anger in the direction of the ruling get together and they’ll convey these points to the eye of the folks.
Energy is within the fingers of the BJP leaders. The state’s Bharatiya Janata Occasion president not too long ago dismissed the protests demanding justice for Ankita, saying if it had been a problem, folks wouldn’t have voted for his get together in all elections after 2022 (when Ankita was killed). They’ve hinted that the get together stays unscathed by the accusations rising within the case. Is not this boastful? Folks will counter this and defeat them.
The battle will proceed till Uttarakhand’s daughter Ankita Bhandari is given full justice.
#ankitabandarikonyaidu #JusticeForAnkitaBhandari #ganeshgodiyal #INCUttarakhand pic.twitter.com/2EVtUHRjjg
— Ganesh Godiyal (@UKGaneshGodiyal) January 10, 2026
*What do you assume are the largest failures of the Bharatiya Janata Occasion authorities within the final 9 years and the way will you handle them if elected?
The largest failure lies within the legislation and order scenario and the rise in corruption. Town in Uttarakhand has one of many highest charges of crimes in opposition to girls. Drug abuse is on the rise and is even infiltrating instructional establishments which are beneath police surveillance. We imagine that when a authorities units a clear document and capabilities effectively, the programs beneath it would imitate it. If the higher echelons turn out to be corrupt, officers will seemingly emulate that mannequin.
One other vital concern is unemployment. Our state is wealthy in biodiversity, forests and pure assets, and the issue of hovering unemployment in such areas ought to by no means have arisen. We are able to make use of a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals in tourism, small hydropower tasks, solar energy and different renewable power sectors.
Though we’ve been out of presidency for 9 years, we’ve persistently labored to resolve these points as soon as we return to energy. We have now recognized 40 parliamentary constituencies (out of a complete of 70 constituencies) positioned in hilly areas. It was discovered that no less than 10,000 households from every of those parliamentary constituencies could possibly be employed in varied sectors. We have now drawn up a blueprint to realize that objective.
* If elected, would you repeal controversial payments such because the Reverse Modification Act, the Uniform Civil Code, and the Minority Schooling Act?
If we’re elected, one among our first choices will likely be to repeal the supply legitimizing home relationships beneath the UCC. It is a stain on our tradition. We are going to study the benefits and downsides of UCC and its affect after implementation. The state is reeling from an unemployment disaster, and these payments from the Dhami authorities have finished little to resolve actual issues. Their very own youngsters are despatched overseas and our youngsters are taught that love jihad and tuk (spit) jihad (a time period coined by Dami) are the agenda.
The land legislation, which prohibits “outsiders” from buying agricultural land in 11 of the state’s 13 districts outdoors municipal boundaries, is ineffective. On the one hand, they declare that land legal guidelines are stopping folks from coming into, and then again, they declare that Ramdev and his aides are promoting massive tracts of land within the George Everest Property. The federal government is throwing rubbish in folks’s eyes.
Relating to the Minority Schooling Act, we are going to proceed to carry discussions with related events. We are going to assess what this laws means for the folks it serves and proceed accordingly.
*Is there a chance that Congress will collaborate with smaller events for the following election?
That is the duty of our Political Affairs Committee, but it surely has not but been determined by the Political Affairs Committee.
