PM Modi, Amit Shah Visit Haridwar Ahead of 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly Polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are scheduled to visit Haridwar in March, in what political analysts are interpreting as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) informal kickoff of its campaign for the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections. The visits, officially centered on preparations for the 2027 Ardh Kumbh and the fourth anniversary of the Pushkar Singh Dhami government, carry significant political undertones ahead of the polls.

Amit Shah will arrive on March 7, attending a major cooperative conference at Bairagi Camp and conducting a high-level review of Ardh Kumbh arrangements. Prime Minister Modi is expected to follow on March 23. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently announced that the Centre has sanctioned ₹500 crore for the Ardh Kumbh, emphasizing that the event will be “organized in a grand, divine, and time-bound manner.” Dhami added that Shah’s personal inspection of sites would ensure a seamless experience for pilgrims.

Political observers note that the choice of Haridwar is strategic. In the previous Assembly elections, the BJP lost key constituencies in the district, including Haridwar Rural, Khanpur, Manglaur, and Piran Kaliyar. The visits are expected to provide an opportunity for senior leaders to consolidate party efforts and plan strategies to regain lost ground.

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Sources within the BJP indicated that Shah will chair a core committee meeting involving senior state leaders, including former Chief Ministers Vijay Bahuguna and Tirath Singh Rawat. The meeting is likely to focus on electoral strategies and organizational preparedness ahead of the 2027 polls. BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt confirmed the political dimension of the visit, stating it will review preparations for the upcoming elections and help solidify future strategy.

However, the opposition has criticized the visits as politically motivated. Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat described the events as a “diversionary tactic,” asserting that using a holy city like Haridwar for political maneuvering is misleading and unnecessary.

As preparations for the VVIP visits intensify, Haridwar is gearing up for a politically significant month that could influence the state’s trajectory in the run-up to the 2027 Assembly elections. With heightened security and administrative focus, the city is poised to witness both spiritual celebrations and high-stakes political activity.

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