Disaster Managing a Political Landslide

Old foes and rival factions reunited, the Uttarakhand Congress tries to turn over a new leaf for Polls 2027

- By Avaneesh Mishra

IN UTTARAKHAND, THE FOCUS THESE DAYS is firmly on matters of survival. Precisely such a spirit has taken hold of what's a natural disaster zone in its own right: the state Congress. Known more for fighting itself than the ruling BJP, old-timers have for long watched bemused as rival camps clashed in public, leaders undercut one another or jumped ship, and the party's vote base splintered. Into this landslide-prone zone comes a new script for soil consolidation. Of late, Congress leaders have begun exuding a more fraternal spirit: sharing podiums at panchayat meets, joining 'peace workshops', leading joint protests on issues as varied as vote chori, illegal mining, jobs and disaster relief.

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