Congress assesses poll readiness in Uttarakhand, Manipur; targeting BJP governments

A day after the INDIA bloc rallied against alleged chori (theft) voting, the Congress leadership on Monday (November 2, 2026) held separate meetings with party leaders from Uttarakhand and Manipur to review the political situation and organizational preparedness for the assembly elections due in both states early next year.

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

Discussions focused on the performance of the BJP government in both the states, the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur and the Congress’ electoral strategy.

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

After a meeting with Congress leaders from Uttarakhand, Mr. Kharge accused the “twin-engine” BJP government of betraying the hopes and aspirations of the people during its 10 years in power in the state.

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

“Congress is fighting with full vigor for the rights and demands 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.

Mr. Venugopal claimed that youth and women were particularly affected by unemployment, the leak of examination papers and the handling of the Ankita Bhandari murder case. He also accused the BJP government of facilitating land deals in favor of corporate ventures despite environmental concerns.

“The temples of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand have also not been spared the chanda chori (theft of gifts) that the BJP has mastered in Ayodhya and across India. Not only the holy temples, BJP’s greed in Uttarakhand is witnessing huge mountains being handed over to corporations – despite a clear warning from Venugo Mother Nature.

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

All India Congress Committee general secretary Kumari Selja, who is in charge of Uttarakhand, told reporters that the party would hold a rally on November 4 to highlight corruption, especially alleged irregularities in the sale of land. The party will also organize protests across the state, Ms. Selja said.

The state leadership later met Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Peace for Manipur

The ongoing ethnic violence and the inability to restore lasting peace and normalcy were prominent in the meeting with Congress leaders from Manipur.

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

Manipur Congress leaders attended the INDIA block rally on Sunday (November 1, 2026) at Ramlila Maidan where they raised slogans demanding restoration of peace in the state.

Ethnic conflict between the Meitei communities in the valley and the Kuki in the hills, which erupted in May 2023, has left at least 306 dead, with 49 people still missing and thousands displaced. Clashes between the Kuki and Naga communities have also been reported recently.

“In 2027, the people will oust the BJP and give the Congress an overwhelming majority to bring back people’s rule in these states,” Mr. Venugopal said, referring to Uttarakhand and Manipur.

Published – 02 Nov 2026 21:56 IST