What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
DEHRADUN: The Congress on Sunday said that the BJP had failed to fulfill its promises made in 2017 and if voted to power in 2022, the grand old party will provide corruption free government in the state.
Speaking to The New Indian, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in Uttarakhand assembly, Pritam Singh, said, “There is no dearth of issues in Uttarakhand. We will fulfil all promises, including those made by the BJP in the past, just to show how they failed on every front.”
Among the failed promises, the list figures double income for the farmers and inability to set up Lokayukt within 100 days.
“Now it is our promise to the people of Uttarakhand that we will bring employment and give Lokayukt zero corruption government,” the Congress leader said.
Singh, who is also among the 53 candidates whose name was announced by party for the assembly polls, said one must not read too much into the absence of former Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Harak Singh Rawat or his daughter-in-law Anukriti Gosain Rawat, who joined Congress two days ago. “Decisions are taken by senior leadership of the party. And I feel that all of us will unitedly fight to assure that Congress wins in the assembly polls,” he said.
On Gairsain not getting much attention despite being summer capital and state being under huge debt, the Congress leader said, “It is very unfortunate that when the state was formed in 2000, the BJP government at centre didn’t declare a permanent state capital. Unlike other states that have a permanent capitals, they only declared a temporary state capital,” he said.
He said “feelings” of the people associated with the movement to form Uttarakhand have been disregarded.
“It was Congress that worked hard and developed the infrastructure in Gairsain. The BJP declared Gairsain as summer capital last year but not a single session has been held since the formation. We will respect the feelings of the people and take decision to develop Gairsain once voted to power,” he said.
To another question about corruption in Covid testing last year and only one genome sequencing lab for 1.16 crore population in the state despite Covid third wave looming across the country, he said, “During first wave of Covid pandemic, we thought that the state government will work to increase the testing centres. But the government failed to do so. That is reason why we said that the BJP has failed in fight against Covid. They said that they opened medical colleges but none has the testing facilities. But no work was carried out.”
He condemned the government for its inaction to book those involved in the Covid testing scam and said that if voted to power, their government will weed out any corruption that exists in the state.
He also promised to address the issue of migration and said that their focus would be to provide employment closer home, so people don’t have to move.
“We will also work to promote tourism and agriculture in hilly areas. As we have seen in Uttarakhand tourism is there for six months due to its difficult terrian so we will work to increase winter tourism in the state,” said this candidate from Chakrata assembly seat.
On the issue of rebellion from among party cadres, he said that it is not possible to field everyone. “We will try our best to convince (them) for the betterment of the party and fight unitedly,” he added.
The elections for the 70 member assembly is scheduled on February 14. Counting of votes will take place on March 10.
The Congress which was decimated in 2017 assembly polls is looking to make a comeback in the state while the BJP is looking for a second consecutive term.
