Dehradun: The Indian National Congress has intensified its campaign against the BJP‑led Uttarakhand administration, vowing to keep pressure on a string of grievances ranging from the Ankita Bhandari murder investigation to alleged land‑deal irregularities, shrinking job prospects and mass migration.

Justice for Ankita Bhandari and the VIP Angle

Congress AICC in‑charge for Uttarakhand, MP Kumari Selja, told reporters that the Bhandari case is not an isolated crime; it mirrors a deeper failure to protect women and hold powerful figures accountable. She criticised the silence surrounding the alleged involvement of a senior VIP and noted that the recent appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Governor of Sikkim has only heightened public anger.

The party pledged to stand beside Ankita’s parents, recalling a recent meeting with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi at India Gate and a formal appeal to the President of India for intervention.

Recent Mobilisation

Under state president Ganesh Godiyal, Congress activists have undertaken a hunger strike at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, organised candle‑lit vigils, filed memoranda and staged a motorcycle rally on 16 October. The movement will persist until the family receives satisfactory answers.

Alleged Corruption in Land, Roads and Mining

Selja pointed to irregularities in road‑work contracts, large‑scale land transfers and mining licences, accusing influential individuals of profiteering at the public’s expense. She called for an impartial probe into every suspicious transaction and urged that the state’s natural wealth be managed for the benefit of its citizens.

Youth Unemployment, Recruitment Scams and Rural Exodus

The Congress highlighted that young people in the hills are confronting a grim job market, compounded by alleged paper‑leak scandals in recruitment examinations. The resulting out‑migration from villages, Selja argued, is a direct outcome of the lack of decent employment and basic services.

Congress demanded a concrete employment‑generation plan, transparent recruitment procedures and a coordinated effort to stem the tide of migration.

Calls for Audits of Religious and Welfare Funds

The party raised concerns over the handling of devotees’ offerings at Badrinath Temple, demanding full disclosure of accounts and an independent audit.

Similarly, the Women and Child Development portfolio, headed by Rekha Arya, was accused of financial irregularities in ration distribution, mid‑day meals and the National Games budget. Selja questioned the credibility of the Special Investigation Team, insisting that any inquiry must be genuinely independent.

Safeguarding Uttarakhand’s Identity and Natural Wealth

“Uttarakhand was forged through sacrifice; its land, forests and people deserve protection,” Selja asserted, accusing the state government of neglect while allowing corruption and job loss to fester.

Protest Calendar

  • October 22–25, 2026: Justice marches across the state, coupled with constituency‑level dialogues on the Bhandari case and other public grievances.
  • October 27, 2026: A coordinated gherao of the Uttarakhand Assembly in Gairsain, targeting the alleged VIP link to the murder, corruption, unemployment and migration issues.
  • November 1, 2026: Uttarakhand Congress workers will join a massive rally in Delhi demanding a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and safeguarding voter rights.
  • November 4, 2026: Demonstrations at district and state headquarters to highlight illegal land transfers, undervalued sales and threats to the state’s natural resources.

What Congress Promises If It Returns to Power

Should the party form the next state government, it pledges swift, unbiased investigations into all corruption allegations, transparent budgeting, revamped recruitment mechanisms, an aggressive job‑creation agenda, policies to curb out‑migration, and stronger safeguards for women’s security.

Selja appealed to Uttarakhand’s electorate to back the Congress’s campaign for dignity, justice for women, youth opportunities and the preservation of democratic rights.

The press conference featured senior leaders including Deputy Leader of the Opposition Bhuvan Kapri, CWC member Gurdeep Singh Sappal, state co‑in‑charges Manoj Yadav and Surendra Sharma, Ex‑Servicemen chair Colonel Ram Ratan Negi, and numerous others who reiterated that the October 27 assembly gherao will be a pivotal moment in the fight against the current government.