Lohaghat in Champawat district is heading towards another closely watched Assembly contest, with drinking water, healthcare, roads, employment and candidate selection emerging as key issues. The seat is currently represented by Congress MLA Khushal Singh Adhikari, who defeated former BJP MLA Puran Singh Fartyal in 2022.

The constituency’s political contest is also shaped by a changing electoral record. Congress has won 3 of the 5 Assembly elections held in Lohaghat since Uttarakhand was formed, while the BJP has won twice. The main political figures in this history are Congress leader Mahendra Singh Mahra, BJP’s Puran Singh Fartyal and Khushal Singh Adhikari.

Mahra won in 2002 and 2007 and later served as a cabinet minister in the ND Tiwari government. In 2007, he defeated BJP’s Krishnachandra Punetha by 1,610 votes. Fartyal changed the balance in 2012 by defeating Mahra by 11,535 votes. He received 30,429 votes, or 59% of the total.

Fartyal retained the seat in 2017, but his margin fell sharply. He defeated Adhikari by only 148 votes. 5 years later, Adhikari defeated Fartyal by 6,038 votes and returned the constituency to Congress.

Lohaghat is part of Champawat district and falls within the Almora Lok Sabha constituency. The area has a predominantly hill-based electorate, where local candidates and their public can influence the contest.

Drinking water remains a central concern

Adhikari has described the Saryu drinking-water project as one of his oldest demands. He said the chief minister approved the project, but only ₹1 crore was provided for land compensation. He alleged that the money was not spent where it was required.

The Congress MLA also alleged that several Jal Jeevan Mission projects, estimated to cost ₹10-15 lakh each, remain stalled. He contrasted this with the availability of funds for works such as paving and boundary walls. He further said that roads dug for pipeline installation in Lohaghat town have worsened traffic problems.

Adhikari also raised concerns about healthcare. He alleged that government medicines are unavailable and that patients are being forced to buy medicines from the market. Citing one patient’s purchase of medicines worth ₹60,000, he questioned whether residents are receiving the intended benefit from the government hospital.

Defending his record as an opposition MLA, Adhikari said people understand how much work can be done from the opposition benches. He added that the work he had completed was before the public and expressed hope of receiving another mandate.

BJP highlights government work

Dr. Naveen Chandra Pant, a minister of state, said the BJP would try to secure a third consecutive government in the upcoming Assembly election. He expressed confidence that the party would benefit from the organisation’s strength and the government’s development work.

Pant also said Uttarakhand would witness a major change if the BJP formed the government for a third time. He described his role in Lohaghat as useful to both the party organisation and the government.

More issues beyond water and healthcare

The constituency’s concerns extend beyond the delayed water project and shortages at the community health centre. Residents are also raising the lack of roads to remote villages and limited employment opportunities.

Crop and human losses caused by wild animals have become another issue. The report also identifies unused tourism potential in the Pancheshwar area and the absence of branding and marketing for the Golden Mahseer as local concerns.

The BJP has Fartyal, a former MLA who is seen as hopeful of receiving the party ticket and is associated with an of impartiality. Congress has Adhikari, who regained the seat in 2022. Both parties, however, have several ticket aspirants, creating the possibility of internal competition.

The election outcome will therefore depend not only on claims about development or the previous result. Voters’ response to water supply, healthcare, roads, jobs and the competing political faces is likely to shape Lohaghat’s electoral calculations.

Conclusion

Lohaghat’s next contest is being shaped by unresolved public concerns, especially the delayed Saryu water project and healthcare shortages. Congress will seek to build on its 2022 victory, while the BJP will rely on its organisation, government work and competing local leadership claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is the current MLA from Lohaghat?

Congress leader Khushal Singh Adhikari is the current MLA. He won the seat in 2022.

Q. Who did Khushal Singh Adhikari defeat in 2022?

He defeated former BJP MLA Puran Singh Fartyal by 6,038 votes.

Q. What is the Saryu drinking-water project issue?

Adhikari said the project was approved but remained delayed, with ₹1 crore provided for land compensation. He alleged that the money was not used where required.

Q. Which issues are important in Lohaghat?

Drinking water, healthcare, roads, employment, losses caused by wild animals, tourism in Pancheshwar and Golden Mahseer marketing are among the reported issues.

Q. How has Lohaghat voted since Uttarakhand was formed?

Congress has won 3 of the 5 Assembly elections held in the constituency, while the BJP has won 2.