The Uttarakhand Assembly’s Monsoon session was thrown into disarray for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as Congress MLAs intensified their protests, demanding an immediate discussion on alleged rigging in the recent panchayat elections and the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The uproar led to multiple adjournments, halting the Question Hour entirely.
The chaos began on Tuesday, the first day of the session, when Congress members, led by figures like Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya and Congress leader Pritam Singh, moved an adjournment motion under Rule 310 to address the contentious issues. Frustrated by the lack of response, they staged a dramatic sit-in on the Assembly floor, spending the entire night in protest. Despite efforts by Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to negotiate an end to the demonstration, the opposition remained steadfast.
On Wednesday, as proceedings were set to commence at 11 am, Congress MLAs gathered in front of the Speaker’s chair, raising anti-government slogans and reiterating their demands. Ignoring Bhushan’s appeals to return to their seats, they continued their protest, prompting a 15-minute adjournment. The situation escalated as BJP MLAs countered with chants of “Sharm Karo, Sharm Karo” (Shame on you), condemning the opposition for obstructing the Question Hour. A heated exchange between the treasury and opposition benches followed, leading to further adjournments until noon and then 12:30 pm, effectively canceling the day’s Question Hour.
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Outside the Assembly, Congress MLA Sumit Hrdayesh from Haldwani accused the state police of undermining law and order, alleging that criminals, emboldened by lax enforcement, had attacked MLAs and even the Leader of Opposition. He claimed the Nainital SSP was filing false affidavits regarding an incident near the Uttarakhand High Court, with the government shielding the officer.
The opposition’s actions, including throwing files and damaging the Secretary’s table, drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders. Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, speaking during a BJP protest march against the disruptions, emphasized the government’s readiness to address all questions if allowed to proceed. Speaker Bhushan expressed regret over the lost opportunity to discuss critical issues like disaster relief, underscoring the impact of the ongoing turmoil.
The Congress’s protests stem from allegations of electoral malpractice in the panchayat elections held on July 24 and 28, 2025, which saw the BJP and Congress both claiming victories despite reported irregularities. The High Court had previously intervened, lifting a stay on the polls but ordering the state to address reservation roster issues. The opposition’s focus on law and order also ties to broader concerns, including a reported firing incident in Nainital.
As the session continues, the standoff between the ruling BJP and the opposition threatens to derail legislative progress, with political tensions showing no signs of easing.
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