Dehradun, Nov. 6 -- Around 40,000 people are expected to attend Union home minister Amit Shah's Friday rally in Dehradun, the BJP said on Thursday. The party said there was strong enthusiasm among residents and workers ahead of the home minister's visit. Addressing reporters at the party headquarters, BJP state general secretary Kundan Parihar said, "Uttarakhand is extremely dear to both PM Modi and Amit Shah. They visit frequently, engaging through meetings and stays to support local development and public welfare," Parihar said. He said Shah's previous rally in Haridwar had drawn more than 100,000 people, while the Dehradun event was expected to attract around 40,000 attendees. With the state celebrating its foundation day, Parihar said the home minister's visit had further lifted public enthusiasm. He added that Shah's address would sharpen the party's electoral strategy and give it decisive direction in Uttarakhand. "Organisational preparations for the rally, themed 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy), are complete," he said. State general secretary Tarun Bansal said the home minister's resolve to act against illegal infiltration had created an atmosphere of trust and played a vital role in safeguarding Uttarakhand's demographic balance. Bansal said the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government was taking steps to preserve the state's demographics, drawing inspiration from Shah's vision. Senior vice-president of the state Congress Suryakant Dhasmana attacked the BJP over the rally. "The BJP is holding a 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakata Bhagao' rally. After 12 years in power at the Centre and nearly a decade in the state, the party must clarify from whom democracy needs to be saved. The biggest threat to the country's democratic framework comes from the RSS and the BJP," he said. Dhasmana accused the ruling party of undermining the constitutional right to vote and questioned the timing of the event during Dhanteras, Diwali and Bhai Dooj, saying it would inconvenience residents and hurt festival traders. State BJP president Mahendra Bhatt said, "Rather than pointing fingers at us, the Congress should worry about itself. As far as the BJP is concerned, we have already kicked off our campaign. Our rallies have commenced, and our election management is underway at a high level."...