Former Someshwar candidate writes to BJP National President Nitin Nabin, citing decades of organisational experience and grassroots work
Someshwar/Almora: Political activity is gradually gathering momentum in Uttarakhand ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. In Almora district’s Someshwar constituency, former BJP candidate Rajesh Arya has formally expressed his interest in contesting the upcoming election on the party ticket.
According to the letter submitted by Arya, he has requested BJP National President Nitin Nabin to consider him as the party’s candidate from Someshwar in the 2027 Assembly elections. In support of his claim, Arya has highlighted his organisational experience, responsibilities within party-related organisations and involvement in movements concerning local public issues.
Claims association with BJP activities since 1991
According to the biographical details submitted by Arya, he has been associated with BJP activities since the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1991. He states that he formally became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1995.
His profile lists participation in organisational activities and training programmes associated with the BJP Yuva Morcha, the BJP Scheduled Morcha and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Arya’s document also refers to movements organised during the 1990s over basic public amenities in the Lamgarha development block. These included demands relating to education, healthcare, drinking water, irrigation, electrification and road connectivity.
He has also cited participation in protests and hunger strikes over rural development concerns and pending administrative demands.
Contested Someshwar Assembly seat in 2002
One of the significant aspects of Arya’s claim is his previous electoral experience in Someshwar. According to his submitted profile, he contested the Someshwar Assembly seat as a BJP candidate in 2002 and lost by a margin of 437 votes.
His document lists several subsequent organisational responsibilities. These include serving as a district-level office-bearer of the BJP Yuva Morcha in 1997, state general secretary of the BJP Scheduled Morcha in 2012, state training head in 2015 and district training head in 2017.
Arya also states that he served as state co-coordinator in the BJP’s disaster relief and assistance department in 2020. His profile further mentions work as a visiting party worker during the 2022 Champawat Assembly by-election.
These positions and activities are based on the details provided in his biographical document and require independent verification before publication.
Highlights grassroots movements and local development issues
Arya has referred to several movements concerning infrastructure and public services in the Someshwar region.
According to his profile, he participated in a movement in 2005 demanding construction of the Someshwar–Gairsain–Bageshwar motor road. His document also mentions protests relating to drinking-water problems in the Basoli area and opposition to the privatisation of a government horticulture facility.
He has additionally cited participation in a 2008 protest in Almora seeking the arrest of accused persons following a murder case, as well as involvement in the Ekal Vidyalaya campaign and community-oriented activities in the Someshwar constituency in 2009.
Arya has presented these activities as evidence of his continued engagement with grassroots issues and party organisation.
Attention on BJP’s candidate selection in Someshwar
The question of who will represent the BJP from Someshwar in 2027 is likely to attract attention as the election approaches. The constituency is currently represented by BJP legislator and Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya.
Recent public controversies involving Rekha Arya have prompted discussion about the political implications for the constituency. However, there is no confirmed announcement that the BJP intends to replace her as its candidate. Allegations and disputes should not be treated as established facts without appropriate verification.
Similarly, Arya’s request for a ticket does not amount to official approval of his candidature. The BJP has not yet announced its candidate for Someshwar for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Organisational record may form part of his claim
In his communication to the party president, Rajesh Arya has asked the leadership to assess his organisational contribution and commitment while considering the next Assembly candidate.
The final selection is expected to depend on the party’s internal assessment, local support, organisational feedback, electoral prospects and broader political calculations. Arya’s previous electoral experience and the responsibilities listed in his profile may form part of that assessment, although their significance to the party’s final decision remains uncertain.
For now, his letter marks a declared bid for consideration rather than an approved candidacy.
The key question ahead of the 2027 elections is whether the BJP will retain its sitting legislator in Someshwar or consider an alternative candidate. The answer will become clear only when the party announces its official decision.
