Weathering the broom

Rebels, turncoats and a fledgling AAP have queered the pitch for the Congress and the BJP

- PRADIP R. SAGAR

UTTARAKHAND CHIEF MINISTER Pushkar Singh Dhami is no stranger to the unpredictability that comes with inclement weather. That is why, after being forced to cancel a flight from Haridwar to Ranikhet on February 3 because of heavy rains and snowfall, he quickly made the most of his remaining day and travelled to his constituency— Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar district.

Khatima is around 250km from Haridwar. Because of the weather, Dhami could reach Chakkarpur, a village in Khatima, only at 9pm—six hours behind schedule. Despite the delay, more than 1,000 supporters were waiting to greet him when he arrived at the rice mill that was the venue of his rally. “I am glad to see your energy level,” Dhami told the audience amid cheers. “Even the rains have not stopped you. I feel energised by your presence. I am confident that no one can stop the BJP from coming to power.”

Dhami, 46, is up against Harish Rawat, veteran Congress leader and former chief minister, and Col (retd) Ajay Kothiyal of the Aam Aadmi Party. The AAP is contesting for the first time in Uttarakhand, but the party is posing a stiffchallenge to both the BJP and the Congress.

Since its formation in 2000, Uttarakhand has alternated between the BJP and the Congress in assembly polls. Incumbent chief ministers have not returned to power. Nityanand Swamy lost in 2002, B.C. Khanduri in 2012, and Harish Rawat lost both the seats he contested in 2017.