Uttarakhand Elections 2027: BJP Dominates Rudraprayag District Seats in 2022
As Uttarakhand gears up for the 2027 elections, the BJP aims to maintain its hold on the Rudraprayag district seats.
Rudraprayag, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : Political activity is ramping up in Uttarakhand as the state approaches the 2027 elections. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are strategizing for a competitive race. A look back at the previous election results is essential to understand the dynamics in Rudraprayag district, which consists of two assembly seats: Rudraprayag and Kedarnath.
Historically, the Rudraprayag seat has been a stronghold for the BJP since the state’s formation. Out of the five elections held so far, the BJP has claimed victory four times, while the Congress has won just once. In the last election, BJP candidate Bharat Singh Chaudhary won decisively, defeating Congress’s Pradeep Thapliyal by a margin of 9,802 votes. Chaudhary secured 29,660 votes compared to Thapliyal’s 19,858.
Currently serving as a cabinet minister in the Uttarakhand government, Bharat Singh Chaudhary oversees departments such as rural development and small-scale industries. The constituency is predominantly rural, with around 92% of voters residing in villages. It is known for its Hindu majority, particularly among the Thakur (Rajput) community, which makes up about 54% of the electorate. Brahmins account for approximately 28%, while Scheduled Castes and other groups comprise around 18%. Political activity is heating up ahead of the 2027 elections, especially after veteran Congress leader Gyalu Lal switched to the BJP after 35 years.
The Kedarnath seat is another focal point in the upcoming elections. This area is not only significant for its political landscape but also for its religious importance, being home to one of the four sacred shrines in Hinduism. The competition here is primarily between the BJP and Congress. In the 2022 elections, BJP’s Sheila Rani Rawat won the seat, but following her passing, the party’s Asha Nautiyal won a by-election in 2024, defeating Congress candidate Manoj Rawat by 5,622 votes.
In that by-election, Nautiyal received 23,814 votes, while Rawat garnered 18,192 votes. The Kedarnath constituency has a substantial Rajput voter base, along with significant numbers of OBC and Scheduled Caste voters. The BJP has maintained a strong presence here, winning four out of six elections since the state’s inception, compared to Congress’s two victories.
As the political landscape evolves, both parties are gearing up for a challenging election season in 2027.
