Harish Rawat, the former chief minister, blasted the Uttarakhand Congress for its perceived neglect of grassroots outreach, arguing that his own "Dhanyawad and Jansamvad Yatra" had gathered thousands, yet the party remained silent on the ground.
Rawat said he had discussed the yatra with AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, offering to postpone eight to ten scheduled programmes if the party could launch a coordinated campaign. He also warned that canceling the yatra would demoralise workers who had already mobilised.
In response, state Congress in‑charge Kumari Selja penned a letter telling Rawat not to proceed with his yatra, citing the need for a united front before the upcoming state elections. Selja stressed that the programme had not been approved by her or the PCC president.
The dispute highlights a deeper rift within the party, with Rawat accusing the leadership of neglecting rural districts while Selja insists on centralised control. Their clash comes at a critical juncture as the party gears up for the 2026 elections.
Selja will meet Rawat on October 7 to discuss the controversy and decide whether the yatra can be integrated into the party's election strategy. The outcome of that meeting will shape the Congress's approach to campaigning in Uttarakhand.