Dehradun, September 30: Uttarakhand BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt on Wednesday welcomed the performance of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in the state’s student union elections, describing the results as an indication of support for nationalist ideas among young voters.
Bhatt criticised Congress objections to the student election results, saying allegations of administrative pressure amounted to questioning the independent decision-making ability of students.
ABVP secured key positions across several colleges in the recently concluded student union elections, including the president’s post at DAV PG College, while independent candidates and other student groups also won positions at several campuses.
‘Questioning Students’ Choice Is Unfair’
Speaking to the media at the BJP headquarters, Bhatt said Uttarakhand has traditionally had a strong presence of what he described as nationalist sentiment and argued that the support received by ABVP reflected the choices made by students.
He congratulated the elected student representatives and students who voted in favour of ABVP.
Responding to Congress allegations of misuse of the police and administrative machinery, Bhatt rejected the charges as baseless and said students were capable of taking independent decisions.
He argued that suggesting students voted under pressure amounted to questioning their “choice, judgement and sovereignty.”
Congress has separately raised questions over police action and the conduct of the DAV student election, particularly the timing of action against Congress leader and former NSUI office-bearer Vineet Prasad Bhatt. The issue has become part of the wider political dispute surrounding the student polls.
Rajya Sabha Candidate Likely to Be Announced Soon
On the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, Bhatt said 15 names shortlisted by the Uttarakhand BJP core committee had been forwarded to the party’s Central Parliamentary Board for consideration.
He said the party expected the Central Parliamentary Board to announce its candidate within the next one or two days.
The Election Commission has scheduled the Rajya Sabha election for Uttarakhand’s lone vacancy for October 16, 2026, with October 6 as the last date for filing nominations. The seat is currently held by BJP’s Naresh Bansal, whose term is ending.
Bhatt said the party’s candidate would file the nomination before the deadline and expressed confidence about the electoral outcome.
PM’s Kedarnath, Tehri Visit Still Tentative
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Uttarakhand, Bhatt said the programme for Kedarnath and Tehri was still at the proposal stage.
He said the final dates would be announced once the programme is confirmed, following which the state organisation would finalise its preparations.
‘Rahul Gandhi-Priyanka Gandhi Visit Is an Election Tour’
Responding to questions about proposed visits by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to Kumaon, Bhatt said the state was entering an election year and described their visits as part of Congress’s electoral campaign.
He said BJP was fully prepared for the upcoming political contest and was working towards securing a strong electoral mandate.
No Resignation Received From Ram Sharan Nautiyal, Says Bhatt
On reports surrounding the alleged resignation of BJP leader Ram Sharan Nautiyal, Bhatt said no resignation had been received by him or by the concerned district BJP president so far.
He said any clarification on the matter would have to come from Nautiyal himself.
