Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday formally launched the campaign for the upcoming Uttarakhand Assembly elections, using a phone address after bad weather forced his helicopter to turn back midway and cancel his scheduled public appearance in Almora.The ‘Parivartan ka Shankhnaad’ rally in Almora, seen as Congress’ first major electoral push ahead of the state polls, went ahead despite Rahul being unable to reach the venue. His address was played over a phone call facilitated by party general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Kumari Selja, as senior state leaders gathered to project unity and kick-start the campaign.Apologising to supporters for missing the rally, Rahul said poor weather conditions forced his helicopter to return to the Pantnagar airport after the pilot advised against continuing the journey. He assured people that he would return to the region soon.Attacking the BJP government, Rahul alleged that the original vision behind the creation of Uttarakhand was being weakened and claimed that decisions affecting the hill state were increasingly being taken from Delhi rather than by local representatives.He said people of Uttarakhand had fought hard for statehood with the hope of shaping their own future, but alleged that the state was now being run through “remote control” from the national capital.The Congress leader further alleged that outsiders were benefiting from Uttarakhand’s natural wealth while local communities were being left behind, claiming that natural resources were being exploited without adequate benefits reaching residents.Accusing the Centre of weakening several economic safeguards that once protected ordinary citizens, Rahul claimed household savings had reduced, small businesses had suffered due to GST implementation and farmers were facing increasing uncertainty.He also criticised the government’s foreign policy, alleging that India’s energy choices had become restricted due to geopolitical alignments. Referring to international tensions involving Iran and the US, he argued that such developments had exposed vulnerabilities in India’s energy security.On agriculture, Rahul alleged that protections for farmers had steadily weakened and accused the Centre of prioritising interests outside the country over domestic concerns.The rally witnessed the presence of several senior Congress leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly Yashpal Arya and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, as the party attempted to build momentum before the electoral battle.