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Politics
Uttarakhand BJP chief revives row over purification of Kharge’s Haldwani rally venue
✍️ The New Indian Express
🗓 26 Aug 2026, 10:36 PM
👁 6
The Uttarakhand BJP state chief has again highlighted the alleged purification of the venue where Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally in Haldwani, sparking renewed political debate.
The chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttarakhand has reopened a controversy surrounding the Haldwani venue used for a recent rally by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. He alleged that the site had been subjected to a "purification" ritual before the event, implying communal overtones.
The remark has drawn criticism from opposition leaders who argue that the BJP chief is attempting to politicise a routine pre‑rally arrangement. Local party workers, however, have defended the statement as a legitimate concern over the symbolism of such acts.
The issue is now being debated in the state’s political circles, with both parties preparing statements ahead of upcoming electoral activities in the region.
The remark has drawn criticism from opposition leaders who argue that the BJP chief is attempting to politicise a routine pre‑rally arrangement. Local party workers, however, have defended the statement as a legitimate concern over the symbolism of such acts.
The issue is now being debated in the state’s political circles, with both parties preparing statements ahead of upcoming electoral activities in the region.