Uttarakhand Minister Khajan Dass Threatens Suicide Over Allegations of Fund Misallocation

In the hills of Uttarakhand, a bitter dispute within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has spilled onto the streets. Minister Khajan Dass, who oversees development projects in the Chakarata region, said he would resign and even contemplate suicide if the accusations levelled against him are proven true.

Background of the protest

On Sunday, a group of BJP supporters gathered outside the minister's residence in Yumna Colony, Dehradun. The demonstration was led by Madhu Chauhan, a former district panchayat chairperson, and was described as a sit‑in protest. The protesters claimed that the party’s internal mechanisms had been ignored and that the minister’s actions were undermining the BJP’s position in the Chakarata constituency, a traditional Congress stronghold.

Allegations made by party workers

The demonstrators alleged that 15‑20% of development commissions were being handed over to opposition members in exchange for their support, while the remaining 80% of work was allegedly allocated to Congress candidates. They argued that, during an election year, proposals from BJP workers should receive priority. Specifically, they accused Minister Dass of deliberately favouring Congress in the distribution of the Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub‑Plan (TSP) budgets, thereby weakening the party’s foothold in Chakarata.

According to the protesters, the list of projects released on 11 September omitted many proposals submitted by BJP activists, yet a large share of the approved work was given to opposition candidates. They warned that the protest would continue until the list is revised.

Minister's response

Visibly upset, Minister Khajan Dass told reporters that if the allegations of commission‑based misallocation were substantiated, he would step down from his ministerial post and consider ending his own life. He stressed that balanced development across all 95 blocks of the state remains his top priority. Dass highlighted that funds under the SCP were allocated without discrimination, and that districts such as Chamoli and Pauri received their share, while Chakarata received a comparatively larger portion. He added that some local leaders were demanding exclusive attention for their area, a request he deemed unrealistic.

Negotiations and next steps

Senior BJP leaders, including Murat Ram Sharma, Pratap Rao, Geetaram Gaud and Kamlesh Bhatt, arrived at the protest site around midday, but talks between the minister and the demonstrators failed to produce a resolution. The party has scheduled a meeting with Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami on Monday to discuss the Chakarata issue. State party president Mahendra Bhatt has also been briefed.

Implications for the BJP in Chakarata

Chakarata has long been a Congress bastion, currently represented by senior Congress MLA Pritam Singh. The constituency also houses many local party functionaries, from block presidents to district panchayat chairs, who are aligned with the opposition. The internal rift within the BJP threatens to erode its organisational strength in the area, especially ahead of the upcoming elections.

Madhu Chauhan, who has contested elections from Chakarata and whose husband Munna Chauhan is a BJP MLA from Vikasnagar, said she had approached the minister in July requesting that proposals from party workers be given precedence. She argued that the tribal‑dominant region receives a separate budget, and that favouritism towards Congress supporters is demoralising for BJP cadres.

The protest has also drawn criticism from senior party officials who view the public airing of internal grievances as damaging to the party’s image. The BJP’s central leadership is reportedly monitoring the situation closely and may intervene to prevent further escalation.

Wider political context

With the state heading towards another election cycle, the BJP’s ability to manage internal dissent will be crucial. The incident underscores the challenges of balancing development allocations in a state where tribal and hill districts often feel neglected. How the party addresses the minister’s alleged misconduct and the concerns of its grassroots workers could shape its electoral fortunes in Uttarakhand’s hill regions.