Congress reviews poll preparedness in Uttarakhand, Manipur; targets BJP governments

Former party chief Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal attended the meeting chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his official residence at 10, Rajaji Marg. File

A day after the INDIA bloc rally here against alleged vote chori (theft), the Congress leadership on Monday (November 2, 2026) held separate meetings with party leaders from Uttarakhand and Manipur to review the political situation and organisational preparedness for the Assembly election due early next year in both States.

Former party chief Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal attended the meeting chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his official residence at 10, Rajaji Marg.

The discussions focused on the performance of the BJP government in the two States, the continuing ethnic violence in Manipur, and the Congress’s electoral strategy.

On Saturday (October 31, 2026), the Congress leadership also met party leaders from Punjab, where factionalism has broken out openly.

Following the meeting with Congress leaders from Uttarakhand, Mr. Kharge accused the BJP’s “double engine” government of betraying the hopes and aspirations of the people over its 10 years in power in the State.

Citing a deteriorating law and order situation, concerns over women’s safety, and the BJP government’s failure to ensure accountability, the Congress chief said people were now seeking change.

“The Congress is fighting with full vigour for the rights and entitlements of the people, from the streets to the legislature,” Mr. Kharge said in a post on social media platform X, adding that the party was committed to providing Uttarakhand with a secure and accountable government.

Unemployment, examination paper leaks, and the handling of the Ankita Bhandari murder case had particularly affected young people and women, Mr. Venugopal alleged. He also accused the BJP government of facilitating land deals in favour of corporate enterprises despite environmental concerns.

“Devbhoomi Uttarakhand’s temples have also not been spared the chanda chori (theft of donations) that the BJP has mastered in Ayodhya and all across India. Not only the holy temples, the BJP’s greed in Uttarakhand is seeing vast mountains being handed over to corporates – despite clear warnings from Mother Nature against such wanton destruction,” Mr. Venugopal said in a post.

Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal, the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Pritam Singh, and senior leader Harak Singh Rawat were present at the meeting. Party veteran and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, whose personal yatra across Uttarakhand had riled a section of the party’s State unit, was not present.

The All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of Uttarakhand, Kumari Selja, told reporters that the party would hold a rally on November 4 to highlight corruption, particularly the alleged irregularities in the sale of land parcels. The party would also organise protests across the State, Ms. Selja said.

The State leadership later met Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

At the meeting with Congress leaders from Manipur, the continuing ethnic violence and the failure to restore lasting peace and normalcy figured prominently.

The party also discussed its organisational preparedness and strategy for the Assembly elections, Congress Legislature Party leader Keisham Meghachandra said, adding that the people of Manipur deserved peace, security, stability and accountable governance.

Manipur Congress leaders had participated in Sunday’s (November 1, 2026) INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, where they raised slogans demanding that peace be restored in the State.

The ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities, which erupted in May 2023, has claimed at least 306 lives, while 49 people remain missing and thousands have been displaced. More recently, clashes have also been reported between the Kuki and Naga communities.

“In 2027, the people will unseat the BJP and ensure a thumping majority for the Congress that will bring back a people’s regime in these States,” Mr. Venugopal claimed, referring to Uttarakhand and Manipur.