CM Dhami visits ex-CM Nishank, extends Diwali wishes
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami visited former CM and ex-Union Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' at his Vijay Colony home on November 6 to extend personal Diwali greetings, underscoring BJP's intra-party ties in the state.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami personally visited Dr.
Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' at his Vijay Colony residence on November 6, 2026 .
The visit was a Diwali courtesy call, conveying festival greetings from the sitting chief minister.
Nishank served as Uttarakhand's Chief Minister from 2009 to 2011 and as Union Education Minister from 2019 to 2021 .
Dhami has led Uttarakhand since July 2021 , representing the Khatima constituency.
Such personal festival visits are a staple of political culture in Uttarakhand, where multiple former CMs remain active in public life.
In a gesture of festival goodwill and intra-party warmth, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally called on former Chief Minister and former Union Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' at his residence in Vijay Colony on Friday, November 6, 2026, to convey heartfelt Diwali greetings.
The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand shared the visit on X, noting that CM Dhami arrived at Nishank's home and extended 'hārdik badhāī evam śubhkāmnāen' — heartfelt congratulations and best wishes — on the occasion of the Diwali festival.Dhami at Nishank's doorstep in Vijay Colony
Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' is one of Uttarakhand's most prominent BJP veterans. He served as the state's Chief Minister between 2009 and 2011 and went on to hold the Union Cabinet portfolio of Education from 2019 to 2021. A senior figure from Pauri Garhwal, he remains an influential presence within the party even after stepping back from active ministerial duties.
Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has led Uttarakhand since July 2021 and represents the Khatima constituency, made the personal visit rather than a routine phone call — a small but deliberate signal of respect within a state where former CMs are numerous and their goodwill matters.
A BJP family tradition in a state with many former chiefs
Uttarakhand, a relatively young state carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, has cycled through multiple chief ministers in its short history — making such festival courtesies a well-established part of local political culture. Sitting chief ministers routinely visit the homes of former CMs and senior party figures during Diwali, Holi, and other major occasions, reinforcing bonds that run as much on personal respect as on party lines.
The visit carries no overt policy dimension, but its symbolism is straightforward: a ruling CM lending visible stature to a predecessor, and a party keeping its senior tier close as the festival season peaks.
As the lights of Diwali illuminate Dehradun, it is the quieter, door-to-door diplomacy within the BJP's Uttarakhand unit that may keep its internal coalition just as bright.
Point of View
The gesture costs nothing and buys considerable goodwill. It is a reminder that in Indian state politics, festival diplomacy is rarely just about the festival.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CM Dhami visit Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' at his Vijay Colony residence to personally extend Diwali greetings, a common festival courtesy between BJP leaders in Uttarakhand.
Who is Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank?
Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' is a senior BJP leader from Pauri Garhwal who served as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2009 to 2011 and as Union Minister of Education from 2019 to 2021.
Who is the current Chief Minister of Uttarakhand?
Pushkar Singh Dhami is the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, in office since July 2021, representing the Khatima constituency.
Where is Vijay Colony in Uttarakhand?
Vijay Colony is a residential locality in Dehradun, the state capital of Uttarakhand, where Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' resides.
Is CM Dhami visiting other former CMs during Diwali 2026?
The Chief Minister's Office announced the visit to Nishank's home; similar courtesy calls to other former leaders during major festivals are common practice in Uttarakhand state politics, though no other specific visits have been confirmed in this post.
