Video: Congress MLA Harish Dhami throws mic, abuses staff over muted microphone

A political controversy erupted at the historic Jouljibi fair in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district on Saturday after Congress MLA Harish Singh Dhami hurled a microphone and abused sound staff following a dispute over being denied an opportunity to speak on stage. A video of the incident has since gone viral.Dhami, who was presiding over the fair, lost his temper after the programme attended by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami concluded and the Chief Minister left the venue. The Congress MLA then took to the stage along with his supporters and launched a sharp attack on the state government and the Chief Minister, even calling him a "coward" and challenging him to contest the next Assembly election from the Dharchula constituency.WHY DID HARISH DHAMI LOSE HIS TEMPER?The controversy reportedly began after Harish Dhami said that although he had been appointed the president of the Jouljibi fair, he was not given an opportunity to address the gathering.The MLA says that his microphone was switched off and he was prevented from speaking. Angered by this, he expressed his displeasure on stage. The situation subsequently escalated, with his supporters also joining the protest and creating a commotion at the venue. Visuals from the spot show the MLA losing his temper, throwing a microphone and creating a ruckus. Police personnel present at the venue also attempted to bring the situation under control.CHALLENGES PUSHKAR SINGH DHAMI TO CONTEST FROM DHARCHULADuring the confrontation, Harish Dhami launched a direct attack on Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, referring to him as a "coward" and challenging him to contest from the Dharchula Assembly constituency. The Congress MLA also said that if his party directed him to do so, he could contest from any Assembly constituency and defeat the Chief Minister. He asserted that the strength of the people would give the Chief Minister an answer in an election.BJP SLAMS CONGRESS MLA OVER CONDUCTThe incident drew a reaction from the BJP, with district minister Raghuvir Singh criticising the Congress MLA's conduct at the public event.Singh said that Dhami had failed to undertake any development work in his constituency over the past five years and was acting out of fear of electoral defeat. He also described the MLA's behaviour on a public platform as unacceptable and condemned the incident.The BJP leader further claimed that Dhami was apprehensive about the possibility of the BJP returning to power in the state for a third consecutive term.The confrontation at the Jouljibi fair has triggered fresh political tensions in Uttarakhand's border region, with the incident drawing attention after videos of the MLA's angry outburst at the venue circulated online.- Ends