Rahul Gandhi's Visit to Uttarakhand Sparks Political Clash Over Military Families Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, is set to visit Uttarakhand from June 4 to 5, 2026, as part of his campaign for the upcoming state assembly elections in 2027. His itinerary includes a public address in Almora and a dialogue session with veterans in Pauri, which has become a focal point of political tension between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The visit has intensified debates over the role of military families in the state’s electoral landscape, with both parties leveraging the issue to mobilize support. The Congress has planned a significant event in Pauri, where Gandhi will engage with veterans to highlight the challenges faced by their families. This move is seen as an attempt to position the party as a champion of military welfare, particularly in light of the controversial "Agniveer Yojana" (Youth Volunteer Scheme) introduced by the BJP government. Critics argue that the scheme has been criticized for undermining the privileges of retired soldiers, and the Congress aims to amplify this narrative to galvanize support among the 13% of voters in Uttarakhand who belong to military families. However, the BJP has accused Gandhi of hypocrisy, citing his past criticism of the government’s handling of military operations. Senior BJP leader Ajay Kothiyal, a retired colonel, has publicly condemned Gandhi’s engagement with veterans, labeling him a "military adversary." Kothiyal pointed to Gandhi’s past remarks questioning the conduct of soldiers during operations like "Surgical Strike" and "Operation Sindhu Raak," which the BJP claims reflect a lack of respect for the armed forces.#rahul_gandhi #uttarakhand #bharatiya_janata_party #ajay_kothiyal #pushkar_singh_dhami
