If we talk about the electoral history of Uttarakhand, there has never been an election like the by-election of 1982. This was the tour when in this by-election, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was on one side and Parvat’s son Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna was on the other side. The eyes of the entire country were fixed on this by-election. But despite all efforts, Congress was not able to make its candidate win and an independent candidate defeated Congress.
1982 by-elections are very special in the electoral history of Uttarakhand
The election of 1982 is one of the best elections in the electoral history of Uttarakhand. When on one side was Parvatputra Bahuguna and on the other side was the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Congress had fielded Chandramohan Singh Negi as a candidate. But this election had become a question of Indira Gandhi’s credibility. Congress tried its best to win this election but despite this, independent candidate Bahuguna won.
The entire mountain had come in support of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna
In the 1982 by-election, the entire hill stood in support of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. Bahuguna held an election rally at the historic Parade Ground in Doon. Everyone was surprised to see such a huge crowd at the rally of independent candidate Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. There was so much crowd in the rally that there was no space left to set foot on the ground. Seeing this crowd, the feedback given by Congress workers to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi surprised her.
Even Indira was surprised to see the crowd
It is said that based on the feedback given by Congress workers, Indira herself came to Doon secretly to listen to Bahuguna’s speech. It is said that his helicopter had landed at a place in Dehradun itself. After which, when Indira Gandhi saw the crowd in the rally, she was also surprised.
Bahuguna’s speech was heard secretly
It is said that former PM Indira Gandhi had secretly heard the entire speech of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. Let us tell you that earlier Bahuguna was a B leader of Congress. He was called Chanakya of Congress. But in 1982, the then Garhwal MP Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna left the party. Along with this he also left the membership of Parliament. After which by-elections were held in Garhwal. This was the only by-election on which the eyes of the entire country were fixed.
There was political turmoil on Garhwal seat
In the 1982 by-election, where there was power on one side, there was public support on the other side. There was an interesting battle between the influence of power and the support of the public and Parvata’s son Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna won. This was the period when the entire mountain stood in support of Bahuguna and there was a political battle in the elections which was seen by the entire country.
Seeing the crowd of rally in Doon, Indira held public meetings only in Garhwal
It was the effect of the crowd gathered at Bahuguna’s rally in Doon that after this, Indira Gandhi instead of holding any rally in Dehradun, held rallies in Garhwal. Indira Gandhi held a dozen meetings in support of her candidate. In this by-election, Bahuguna’s performance in other districts of Garhwal was also excellent. It is said that the 1982 elections were very exciting and contested. This by-election had made it clear how much influence the personality of the leaders of that time had on the public.
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