PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Bharatiya Janata Party State president and Rajya Sabha member Mahendra Bhatt expressed satisfaction with the State government’s management of the ongoing pilgrimage season. He urged party workers to remain alert and prepared to assist during the period. Despite opposition claims, he said this year’s pilgrimage season is expected to break previous records. He also said that the party is finalising preparations to secure victory in seats of chairpersons of all 13 districts in the ensuing local elections.
Responding to questions from the media at the party headquarters, Bhatt said the increasing number of pilgrims, which has crossed 55 to 60 lakh in recent years, indicates a positive direction for the State’s economy. He acknowledged challenges, including natural disasters, but credited efficient planning and high-level rescue operations for managing such events. Bhatt said party workers will continue their efforts to support travel arrangements, as they have done in previous years.
He said that they will be prepared to help in cases of roadblocks, traffic jams or emergencies by providing food, water, medicine, communication and coordination with authorities. Responding to allegations of irregularities in helicopter bookings, Bhatt criticised the Congress party, stating that it raises doubts over every initiative. He said Congress previously questioned vehicle and hotel occupancy and now casts suspicion over the rapid pace of helicopter bookings.
Bhatt said that such actions are part of its strategy to spread misinformation and damage the image of the State. He claimed the public has not taken the Congress seriously since 2017 and despite such accusations, the number of pilgrims continues to grow. Regarding the upcoming panchayat elections, Bhatt said that although election dates have not yet been announced, the party is completing preparations at the assembly and Mandal levels. The goal is to ensure the victory of the maximum number of party-backed candidates in the panchayat elections, including chairperson and block-level posts, Bhatt said.
