Congress Demands Session Extension Over Governance Issues
The Congress party staged a protest at the Uttarakhand Assembly premises in Gairsain on Wednesday, opposing the short duration of the ongoing two-day session. Opposition members demanded an extension to discuss issues affecting various constituencies, including roads, healthcare, education, and corruption, while also raising public grievances.
The agitation continued for a second consecutive day during the session, which began on Tuesday. Protesters highlighted the Ankita Bhandari murder case and questioned the ruling party's silence on the matter during the demonstration.
Congress MLA Lakhapat Singh criticized the BJP government, alleging that its policies had contributed to the state's deterioration. He accused the ruling party of repeatedly undermining Uttarakhand's interests and stated that Congress would continue to raise public issues both on the streets and inside the Assembly.
Singh asserted that no accountability was being ensured by the government in the Legislative Assembly over corruption and the Ankita murder case. He emphasized that the opposition would persist in raising these concerns through both street protests and legislative action.
BJP Demonstrates Against Allegations Involving Congress MLA
Separately, BJP leader Madhu Chauhan, accompanied by supporters, staged a protest outside the Assembly premises against the Congress party and Pritam Singh, the Congress MLA from Chakrata. As part of the demonstration, protesters burned an effigy.
The BJP's action followed a political controversy triggered by a viral audio clip. The clip contained allegations against the family of MLA Pritam Singh, with purported threats and abusive language allegedly used by his brother, Chaman Singh, against an individual identified as Balakram.
Allegations included claims that pressure was exerted on Balakram to persuade his two daughters to join the Congress party. The incident sparked a dispute regarding political interference in local family matters.
Family Response to Audio Clip Controversy
Diksha, one of Balakram's daughters, provided a response to the allegations. She stated that her family had traditionally supported Congress but decided to contest college elections independently.
Following this decision, Diksha claimed that people from Congress threatened her father and demanded strict action against the culprits involved in the audio clip controversy. The conflicting narratives have intensified tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress during the current legislative session.