At a public event in Gopeshwar in Chamoli district, all eyes turned when Congress MLA Lakhpat Butola, who represents the Badrinath seat, openly praised Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami from the stage. Butola made the remark during the Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, Jan-Jan Ke Dwar programme, and his comment quickly stirred political circles, since it is unusual for an opposition legislator to publicly commend the head of the ruling government.
What Butola said on stage
Speaking at the event, Congress MLA Lakhpat Butola said it is often alleged that opposition MLAs face discrimination and that their constituencies are left behind on development work. However, he stated plainly that his own constituency has actually seen the most development work of all. Butola went on to publicly thank Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for this from the stage. An opposition legislator praising the head of the ruling government so openly became a talking point both among those present at the event and in political circles afterward.
The remark came at a time when ruling party and opposition leaders in Uttarakhand have been engaged in continuous political sparring over development work in the state. Against that backdrop, an opposition MLA's public praise from a government stage is being viewed as politically significant. The turnout at the event was also notable. People from surrounding areas began arriving at Gopeshwar's Police ground from early morning itself, and by the time the Chief Minister addressed the gathering, the entire ground was packed with listeners.
CM Dhami hands Chamoli 63 development schemes
At the same event, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gifted Chamoli district a total of 63 development schemes worth Rs 155.36 crore. Of these, the foundation stone was laid for 36 schemes worth Rs 113.99 crore, while 27 schemes worth Rs 41.37 crore were formally inaugurated. The schemes span roads, bridges, health, education, irrigation, flood protection, tourism and sports, covering projects that directly touch the everyday needs of people living in Chamoli district.
Political chatter picks up
After the event, the Congress MLA's remarks and the large crowd at the gathering set off intense discussion in political circles. Observers believe that an opposition legislator's comment on the development issue could remain a talking point in Uttarakhand's politics in the days ahead, particularly since the ruling party and opposition routinely trade accusations over development work in the state.
