Dehradun: The Indian National Congress has intensified its attack on the BJP‑led Uttarakhand administration, vowing to keep the spotlight on a string of issues ranging from the high‑profile Ankita Bhandari murder to alleged land‑deal fraud, chronic joblessness and the exodus of rural youth.

Seeking Justice for Ankita Bhandari and Addressing 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 security and political accountability. She argued that the family’s calls for an open‑ended probe into the suspected involvement of a senior VIP have been brushed aside, and that the recent appointment of BJP stalwart Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Governor of Sikkim has only heightened public anger.

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

Recent Mobilisations

Under the stewardship of state president Ganesh Godiyal, Congress cadres have undertaken a hunger strike beside Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, organised candle‑light vigils, filed memoranda and even staged a motorcycle rally on 16 October. The movement will persist until the bereaved family receives satisfactory answers.

Allegations of Corruption in Land, Roads and Mining

Selja pointed to irregularities in road‑work contracts, massive land‑transfer schemes and mining licences, alleging that a handful of influential figures 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 stewarded for the benefit of ordinary citizens.

Youth Unemployment, Recruitment Scams and Rural Migration

The Congress warned that the hill‑state’s young population faces a grim employment outlook, exacerbated by alleged paper‑leak scandals in recruitment examinations. The resulting drift from villages, she said, is a direct consequence of the lack of decent jobs and basic amenities.

Consequently, the party demanded a concrete job‑creation blueprint, transparent hiring procedures and a coordinated strategy to curb the out‑migration of talent.

Calls for Audits of Religious and Welfare Funds

The party also raised concerns over the handling of devotees’ donations at Badrinath Temple, insisting on a full disclosure of accounts and an independent audit.

In a similar vein, 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, stressing that any probe must be genuinely independent.

Defending Uttarakhand’s Identity and Natural Wealth

“Uttarakhand was forged through sacrifice; its land, forests and people deserve protection,” Selja declared, accusing the state government of turning a blind eye while allowing corruption and job loss to fester.

Protest Calendar Ahead

  • 22–25 October 2026: Justice marches across the state, coupled with constituency‑level dialogues on the Bhandari case and other public grievances.
  • 27 October 2026: A coordinated gherao of the Uttarakhand Assembly in Gairsain, aimed at exposing the alleged VIP link to the murder, corruption, unemployment and migration issues.
  • 1 November 2026: Uttarakhand Congress workers will join a massive rally in Delhi demanding a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the safeguarding of voter rights.
  • 4 November 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 vows swift, unbiased investigations into all corruption allegations, transparent budgeting, overhauled recruitment mechanisms, an aggressive job‑creation agenda, policies to stem out‑migration, and reinforced safeguards for women’s security.

Selja appealed to Uttarakhand voters to rally behind the Congress’s vision of dignity, justice for women, opportunities for the youth and the preservation of democratic rights.

The press briefing featured senior leaders such as 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, among others, all reiterating that the 27 October assembly gherao will be a decisive moment in the struggle against the incumbent government.