By Sunil Negi
DEHRADUN | 18 August 2026
Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Manifesto Committee Chairman and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Bhuwan Kapri, on Monday alleged that for the last 10 years there has been “no government” in Uttarakhand, only “insensitive managers” cut off from the people.
Addressing the media, Kapri said in a democracy, a government means an elected, accountable and responsive system.
“For the past decade, there has been a constant absence of dialogue and sensitivity between the government and the people,” he said, adding that the Congress manifesto will be a pledge to restore a government “of the people, for the people, and accountable to the people.” saud the Uttarakhand Deputy leader in the Assembly.
Addressing a press conference Kapri outlined 5 main points:
1. Restoration of Government : An elected, accountable government run with people’s participation.
2. People’s Voice in Manifesto: The manifesto will be based on aspirations, problems and suggestions of all sections, not just election promises.
3. Democratic Accountability: The future Congress government will be politically accountable for its promises, with dialogue and participation as the basis of governance.
4. Nehruvian Socialism & Public Institutions: Strengthening govt schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. Education, health and social security will again be the state’s core responsibility.
5. Gandhian-Sarvodaya Rural Model: Villages, rural economy and the last person will be at the center of development. Employment based on local resources, and strengthening of Gram Sabhas to check migration.
Manifesto Committee Convener Dr. Prem Bahukhandi said reviving public institutions and the Gandhian rural model will be the core of the manifesto. “Development must reach the person who has been left behind first. That is Sarvodaya,” he said.
Senior leader Suryakant Dhasmana said it was ironic that people who fought for statehood now have to agitate for their demands. He said the manifesto process will be turned into a people’s movement with farmers, youth, women, employees, traders and migrants.
The menifesto Committee member Sujata Paul Maliah criticized the government’s “insensitive” approach toward protesting youth and Joshimath-Helang residents. “Agitations are the strength of democracy, not its weakness,” she said.
The Congress said the people of Uttarakhand will not just read the manifesto, but will help draft it, and their suggestions will become the party’s political commitment for the next government.
