Dehradun: The Indian National Congress has escalated its offensive against the BJP‑run Uttarakhand administration, promising to sustain a campaign that tackles everything from the Ankita Bhandari murder investigation to alleged land‑deal scams, chronic job shortages and rising 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 homicide but a symptom of a deeper crisis concerning women’s safety and political accountability. She said the family’s appeals for an open probe into the suspected involvement of a senior VIP have been brushed aside, and that the recent appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Governor of Sikkim has only intensified public anger.

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

Recent Actions

Under the direction of state president Ganesh Godiyal, Congress cadres have organized a hunger strike at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, held candle‑light vigils, filed memoranda, and conducted a motorcycle rally on October 16. The movement will persist until the family receives satisfactory answers.

Alleged Corruption in Land, Roads and Mining

Selja highlighted irregularities in road‑contract awards, large‑scale land transfers and mining licences, alleging that a handful of powerful individuals have profited at the public’s expense. She called for an impartial inquiry into every suspicious transaction and urged that the state’s natural resources be administered for the benefit of its citizens.

Youth Unemployment, Recruitment Scams and Rural Migration

Selja warned that the hill districts’ youth are confronting a grim job market, compounded by alleged paper‑leak scandals in recruitment examinations. The exodus from villages, she argued, is a direct consequence of the lack of decent employment and basic amenities.

The Congress demanded a concrete job‑creation roadmap, transparent recruitment mechanisms and a concerted effort to stem the tide of migration.

Calls for Probes into Religious and Welfare Funds

The party also raised concerns about 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 truly independent.

Protecting Uttarakhand’s Identity and Natural Wealth

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

Upcoming 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, a robust 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 many others who reiterated that the October 27 assembly gherao will be a pivotal moment in the fight against the current government.