Uttrakhand witnessed return of BJP with 48 out of 70 seats on Thursday, 10th March. It marked history for the first time in 21 years of the state’s assembly elections. The elections started on February 14th while BJP contested strategically alongside Indian National Congress and Aam Aadmi Party.
Uttrakhand elections – political demographics
The state elections witnessed about 82 lakh active voters with 11,447 polling booths operating. The ruling government of BJP contested elections with incumbent Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Additionally, Harish Rawat from Indian National Congress and Ajay Kothiyal from Aam Admi Party contested vigorously alongside BJP.
What does this win mean for Uttrakhand?
The ruling government released its manifesto titled ‘Vision Document 2022’ before the elections of the ‘hill state’. It called for stricter laws for love jihad with imprisonment of up to 10 years.
“Committees will also be set up at the district levels to look into the complaints of demographic changes caused due to land grabbing.”, said Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, chairman of the manifesto committee.
This win for BJP in the state of Uttrakhand will also bring about developments in the areas of tourism, employment generation, and women empowerment. Furthermore, Chief Minister Kisan Protsahan Yojana will make an annual payment of Rs. 2,000 to the farmers to aid their livelihood.
BJP also witnessed a majority sweep in four out of the five states it contested elections in. Along with Uttrakhand, it bagged Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, and Goa.
“Today is a festive day for us, a day to celebrate democracy,” said PM Modi during his evening address to the country. He made promises to bring about a higher level of development in India, and expressed gratitude to the women in support.
Published By – Vanshu Mehra
