Pushkar Singh Dhami: Longest serving BJP CM of Utttarakhand
As
Pushkar Singh Dhami
completes four years in office this July, he has emerged as the
Bharatiya Janata Party
's (BJP) longest-serving Chief Minister in Uttarakhand — a notable achievement in a state known for frequent leadership changes. From being a relatively untested choice in 2021 to gaining national attention with the implementation of the
Uniform Civil Code
(UCC), Dhami's tenure has been marked by high visibility and legislative activism.
When Dhami took charge in July 2021, just months ahead of the state assembly polls, political observers saw the decision as a gamble by the BJP leadership. At the time, no incumbent government had returned to power in Uttarakhand. However, Dhami led the party to an electoral win, and the BJP broke the trend of anti-incumbency. His reappointment as chief minister was seen as an endorsement from the party high command, signalling continuity and trust.
Over the past four years, Dhami has positioned himself as a proactive administrator closely aligned with the Centre's agenda. His government introduced and passed several legislations including anti-conversion laws, anti-cheating measures, and most notably, the UCC.
One of Dhami's key strengths has been his ability to interpret and act upon policy signals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister's swift legislative actions, coupled with an image of modesty and firmness, have been part of what state leaders describe as a governance model built on responsiveness and ground-level engagement.
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His performance during events such as the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation and his involvement in major sporting events have also been highlighted by the BJP as evidence of his crisis management skills and public outreach.
During his tenure, Prime Minister Modi has visited Uttarakhand several times. Within party circles, Dhami is now regarded as a reliable leader with full backing from the central leadership.
As the BJP prepares for upcoming electoral challenges, Dhami's extended tenure — in contrast to earlier phases of political instability in the state — is being projected as a sign of institutional stability and policy continuity. Party sources suggest that the central leadership remains committed to removing hurdles in governance and ensuring Dhami's momentum continues.
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