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Former Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni and Congress candidate Ganesh Godiyal has locked their horn in Garhwal Lok sabha constituency. Ironically BJP
BJP has fielded its national spokesperson and former Rajya Sabha MP, Anil Baluni from Garhwal Lok Sabha seat. Congress has fielded its former president of Uttarakhand congress Ganesh Godiyal. By fielding Godiyal congress has made this constituency very interesting. He is facing off against former president of Uttarakhand Congress, Ganesh Godiyal. Baluni is banking on the appeal of Modi and the Hindutva ideology to secure victory. The BJP is highlighting achievements such as the ongoing Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line project, all-weather road development, Char Dham projects, and improved air connectivity in Uttarakhand.
Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency, spanning five districts of Uttarakhand, holds distinct geographical, cultural, and historical significance. The constituency also shares an international border with China in Chamoli district and is connected to western Uttar Pradesh. It comprises six Assembly constituencies: Yamkeshwar, Kotdwar, Lansdowne, Chaubattakhal, Pauri, and Srinagar of Pauri district; Narendra Nagar and Devprayag Assembly segments of Tehri district; Rudraprayag and Kedarnath Assembly segments of Rudraprayag district; Tharali, Badrinath, and Karnprayag Assembly constituencies of Chamoli; and Ramnagar Assembly segment of Nainital district.
Interestingly, the constituency is dominated by Rajput, making up around 50 percent of the electorate, with Brahmins comprising about 25 percent and Dalits around 20 percent. Over the years, Garhwal has been represented by distinguished leaders such as Bhaktdarshan Singh (1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967), HN Bahuguna (1980 and 1982), Maj Gen (retd) B C Khanduri (1991, 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2014), and Satpal Maharaj (1996 and 2009).
Bhaktdarshan Singh served as the constituency’s representative for four consecutive terms from 1963 to 1971. Congress stalwart and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, also won from Garhwal in 1980 but resigned due to disagreements with then-PM Indira Gandhi. The subsequent by-election, marked as a significant electoral battle, saw Bahuguna contesting as an independent candidate and defeating Congress candidate Chandra Mohan Singh Negi.
Since the formation of Uttarakhand, Garhwal has become a BJP stronghold, with candidates like Maj Gen BC Khanduri, Lt Gen TPS Rawat (in the 2008 by-election), and Tirath Singh Rawat (in 2019) emerging victorious. In the General election of 2009, Congress candidate Satpal Maharaj won the seat by defeating BJP candidate Lt Gen TPS Rawat. BJP candidate Tirath Singh Rawat secured the seat in the 2019 General election, defeating Congress candidate Manish Khanduri, son of Maj Gen BC Khanduri, by a significant margin.
On the other hand, Godiyal is raising issues such as the Ankita Bhandari murder case and advocating for justice for her parents. He is also criticizing the Modi government’s Agnipath scheme, claiming it has hindered youth employment opportunities. Godiyal is also attempting to portray Baluni as an outsider. During nomination, Godiyal managed to gather a large crowd, closely watched by the BJP.Meanwhile, BJP has successfully welcomed Congress MLA Rajendra Singh Bhandari, Manish Khanduri, and former MLA Shailendra Rawat into its party fold.
