Congress dangerous in power, harmful out of it: Uttarakhand CM Dhami
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami revived a Vajpayee-era jibe — that Congress is dangerous in power and harmful out of it — as the INDIA bloc gears up for a November 1 rally against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. With Amit Shah also set to visit Dehradun on November 6, BJP is clearly framing the SIR row as an opposition-manufactured crisis.
Key Takeaways
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on 30 October called Congress 'dangerous in power and harmful out of power,' invoking late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee 's similar remark.
The remarks targeted the INDIA bloc 's rally scheduled at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi on November 1 against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls.
Dhami alleged 'misinformation' about voter deletions and questioned how one person could hold registrations at three different locations .
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Dehradun on November 6 for an Uttarakhand Police colours ceremony and a public meeting.
At the PM-Kisan Utsav Diwas event, Dhami praised PM Modi 's 2019 launch of the PM-KISAN scheme as a historic move for farmers.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday, 30 October launched a sharp attack on the Congress, asserting that the party is 'dangerous for the public when in power and harmful to the nation when out of power.' The remarks came on the sidelines of the PM-Kisan Utsav Diwas programme in Dehradun, with the INDIA bloc set to hold a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Attack on Congress
Speaking to reporters after the PM-Kisan event, Chief Minister Dhami invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, noting that the late BJP stalwart had often made a similar observation about the grand old party. The remark was clearly aimed at building narrative pressure ahead of the opposition's planned demonstration against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Dhami's Charge on the SIR Controversy
Dhami questioned the timing and intent of the opposition's protests, pointing to the ongoing festive season. 'With Navratri over and Diwali being celebrated, opposition parties are organising demonstrations and protests,' he said, alleging that 'misinformation is being spread regarding voter deletion.' He raised pointed questions about why ineligible voters should remain on rolls and how a single individual could have registrations at three different locations.
The Chief Minister accused the opposition of attempting to create an 'atmosphere of disorder,' warning that such moves could 'potentially harm' traders and ordinary citizens. He also cautioned against what he described as 'foreign forces' seeking to engineer 'regime change' through 'anarchy.'
Amit Shah's Upcoming Uttarakhand Visit
Separately, Dhami confirmed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Dehradun on November 6. Shah will attend a ceremony where the colours will be presented to the Uttarakhand Police, followed by a large public meeting and other engagements, according to the Chief Minister.
PM-Kisan Utsav Diwas Remarks
Earlier in the day, Dhami praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision in 2019 to launch the PM-KISAN scheme, calling it a historic step for farmers' welfare. He alleged that previous governments had consistently failed to give farmers the recognition and support they deserved despite their hard work and difficult conditions. This comes amid the BJP's broader effort to reinforce its farmer-outreach messaging ahead of upcoming political activity in the state.
Point of View
' the BJP is attempting to shift the debate from the substance of alleged electoral roll irregularities to the opposition's motives — a familiar playbook. The Vajpayee invocation is politically shrewd, lending vintage authority to what is essentially a contemporary partisan broadside. What the rhetoric sidesteps is a direct engagement with the specific SIR complaints, which the Election Commission and the government have yet to address with granular data. Amit Shah's November 6 visit will be watched as a signal of how seriously the BJP views the political temperature in a state it governs comfortably but cannot afford to take for granted.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Uttarakhand CM Dhami say about Congress?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said Congress is 'dangerous for the public when in power and harmful to the nation when out of power,' echoing a remark he attributed to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He made the statement on 30 October in Dehradun after the PM-Kisan Utsav Diwas programme.
Why is the INDIA bloc holding a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1?
The INDIA bloc has scheduled a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1 to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about potential voter deletions linked to the SIR process.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The SIR is an Election Commission of India exercise to update and clean up voter rolls by identifying and removing ineligible or duplicate registrations. The opposition has alleged that the current SIR drive is resulting in improper voter deletions, a charge the government disputes.
When is Amit Shah visiting Uttarakhand and for what purpose?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Dehradun on November 6. He will attend a ceremony where colours will be presented to the Uttarakhand Police and will also address a large public meeting alongside other engagements.
What did CM Dhami say about the PM-KISAN scheme?
Dhami praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2019 decision to launch the PM-KISAN scheme, calling it historic for farmers' welfare. He alleged that previous governments had failed to give farmers the respect and support they deserved despite their hard work.
