{
  "id": 20032486,
  "title": "Uttarakhand CM in attendance, Congress MLA throws microphone, challenges him to contest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/uttarakhand-cm-in-attendance-congress-mla-throws-microphone",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-14T19:02:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-harish-pushkar-singh-dhami-microphone-thrown-10963407/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A political dispute unfolded at the Jauljibi fair in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district on Saturday, following Congress MLA Harish Singh Dhami throwing a microphone and confronting sound staff on stage. The MLA alleged that he had been denied the opportunity to address the gathering in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Harish Dhami claimed that his microphone was switched off when he attempted to speak after the Chief Minister's departure, questioning the fairness of the situation. He expressed his desire to raise concerns regarding his constituency, including unfulfilled development promises and road conditions. The MLA also criticized the government for failing to deliver on promises made during previous visits to the region. Videos of the incident, which have gone viral on social media, depict the MLA angrily addressing individuals on the stage, throwing the microphone, and engaging in a heated exchange with the sound staff. The confrontation erupted as the Chief Minister inaugurated the fair, marking the confluence of the Kali and Gori rivers on the India-Nepal border. Harish Dhami alleged that his microphone was turned off under pressure from the government and the Chief Minister, questioning the government's commitment to development in the area. He referred to announcements made in 2022 about the beautification and development of the Jauljibi fairground, demanding answers about the lack of progress. Additionally, the MLA brought up a recent road accident that claimed an eight-year-old child's life and questioned the state of road infrastructure in the region. Harish Dhami vowed that he would not cower or be intimidated, promising to accept any mistakes and apologize. If given the chance, he stated that he would contest the 2027 Assembly elections from Dharchula, challenging the Chief Minister to do so as well. The Congress party supported Harish Dhami, accusing the Chief Minister and organizers of violating protocol by denying the MLA the opportunity to speak.",
  "summary": "A heated political confrontation erupted at the Jauljibi fair in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district on Saturday, when Congress MLA Harish Singh Dhami allegedly threw a microphone and confronted sound staff on stage. The incident occurred after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the fair, leaving the venue afterward. Harish Dhami claimed he was prevented from speaking and accused the government of switching off his microphone. He raised concerns about unfulfilled development promises, road infrastructure, and the proposed civil lines in Dharchula. The Congress party backed Dhami, accusing the Chief Minister and organizers of violating protocol by not allowing the MLA to address the gathering.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Congress MLA vandalises stage at Uttarakhand event: ‘Denied chance to speak before CM Dhami’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/congress-mla-vandalises-stage-at-uttarakhand-event-denied-chance-to",
        "published": "2026-11-15T01:48:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}