A political confrontation unfolded at the Jauljibi Fair in Uttarakhand after Congress MLA Harish Dhami allegedly vandalised the event stage. The incident occurred following the inauguration of the 10-day fair by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami near the India-Tibet border. Witnesses reported that microphones and chairs were thrown around on the stage shortly after the Chief Minister departed the venue.
Harish Dhami, who represents the Dharchula constituency, stated that he was the chairperson of the fair but was denied an opportunity to address the public or present local demands to the Chief Minister. He contended that the government was attempting to suppress the opposition and avoid hearing about corruption. In a social media statement, the MLA noted he had intended to raise concerns regarding road connectivity in Kanar and the recent death of an eight-year-old girl in the region.
The Congress party also raised objections regarding the exclusion of another local MLA, Mayukh Singh Mahar, from the event. District Congress president Mukesh Pant described the failure to invite an elected representative as a disregard for democratic values. Meanwhile, the BJP defended the proceedings, with senior leader Mahendra Singh Budiyal noting that the event schedule had been compressed due to the Chief Minister's time constraints.
The BJP has officially condemned the MLA's behaviour, specifically citing the alleged use of abusive language against the Chief Minister. The party’s district unit has threatened to stop all cultural programmes at the fair if an FIR is not filed against Harish Dhami by Sunday afternoon.
Key facts
- The incident took place at the 10-day Jauljibi Fair, an event showcasing trade and cultural links between India, Nepal, and Tibet.
- Harish Dhami claims his intended speech was meant to address road connectivity issues and the death of an eight-year-old girl.
- The BJP has demanded an FIR against the MLA for allegedly using abusive language toward the Chief Minister.
- The BJP threatened to suspend cultural programmes at the fair if their demand for an FIR is not met by Sunday afternoon.
Why it matters
The incident has intensified the political rivalry between the Congress and the BJP in the region. The BJP has dismissed the MLA’s actions as a sign of frustration, claiming that the Congress party’s support base in the Dharchula assembly constituency is currently in decline.
Background
The Jauljibi Fair is a long-standing event that historically highlights trade connections between India, Nepal, and Tibet, featuring goods such as woollen products brought through the India-Tibet trade route.
Source: Times of India
Comments