Uttrakhand: Congress launches 'Unemployment scheme' without EC's consent

Uttarakhand is set to go to polls on 15 February for the 70-seat Assembly; results will be declared on 11 March.

It is the only state, among the five going to polls this year, where there is a direct fight between Congress party and its rival Bharatiya Janata Party.

While some parties are working out strategies to secure a victory, others are forming alliances.

Uttarakhand is one of the five states going to polls in 2017.

The ruling Congress party wants to win and provide impetus to its 2019 Lok Sabha campaign.

Meanwhile, BJP aims to dethrone CM Harish Rawat-led Congress government and continue its winning streak.

The India Today-Axis Opinion Poll gave BJP 41-46 seats, Congress 18-23 seats, and others 2-6 seats in the 70-seat Assembly.

BJP is likely to raise the issue of demonetization and its benefits along with its resolve to curb black economy.

It might attack Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat for his involvement in a liquor scam, loot, and corruption-related cases, including a sting operation which showed him buying votes for Congress's victory in the polls.

Things on BJP's agenda include Uttarakhand's corruption, illegal mining, and unemployment.

Congress decided to continue its alliance with Progressive Democratic Front, including Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, BSP, and the three independents.

It roped in poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who was behind BJP's 2014 General Election victory, to devise the election strategy.

Apart from coordinating with Team Kishor, Congress's Uttarakhand unit requested Chief Sonia Gandhi to address rallies and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to address public meetings.

Samajwadi Party's Uttarakhand division, in alliance with Congress, wants Kannuaj MP and UP CM Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple as its chief campaigner, projecting her as 'Pahad ki Beti'.

They said Dimple, who belongs to Uttarakhand, and Akhilesh should campaign for a victory as the party has no MLA or MP in Uttarakhand.

The party wrote to Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh regarding the same.

Congress leader ND Tiwari along with his son Rohit Shekhar will be joining the BJP ahead of the Uttarakhand Assembly Elections on Wednesday.

According to reports, BJP is ready to provide Rohit with a ticket from the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

Tiwari has served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh thrice between 1976 and 1989. He was also the Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

The two biggest parties in the Uttarakhand elections, the Congress and the BJP, are facing a tough challenge from dissidents who are contesting the polls as independent candidates.

Analysts said the BJP would have had a clear victory in the state had it been a one-way fight against the Congress.

However, independent candidates contesting from places like Rishikesh and Narendra Nagar have complicated matters.

On 23rd January, the Election Commission had forbidden Congress to initiate its 'unemployment-scheme' in polls-bound Uttrakhand.

On 3rd February, Harish Rawat's government launched their scheme regardless and registered over 10,000 unemployment allowance-cards within 48 hours.

Hours after the card distribution began, EC demanded an explanation from Congress within 2 days.

A show-cause notice was issued and Congress was asked to halt distribution and registration.