Congress protest outside assembly; demand longer budget session

Gairsain: Members of Uttarakhand Congress protested near the Gairsain assembly building on Tuesday, demanding an extension of the ongoing budget session.Led by senior Congress leaders, including state chief Ganesh Godiyal, former chief minister Harish Rawat and former minister Harak Singh Rawat, protesters expressed frustration over several issues — including the delay in revealing the VIP's name in the Rishikesh resort case, concerns over law and order and corruption.Godiyal said the situation had worsened under the Dhami govt. "No one is willing to give answers. The Rishikesh resort murder case is a major blot on the state. Despite ordering a CBI probe, there has been no development in the matter. The VIP's identity remains a mystery," he said.Raising concerns over the law and order situation, Rawat criticised the state govt over its "failure to control crime". He said issues such as migration, poor health services and education facilities still remain a challenge. State Congress chief Karan Mahara called the budget session a "formality" due to its short duration.Officials said despite heavy security arrangements at Jungle Chatti and Gairsain city, Congress members managed to reach Diwalikhal, just a few kms from the main assembly building at Bhararisain. The protest followed Monday's dramatic scenes inside the House, where Congress legislators raised slogans, entered the well and staged a walkout during the opening of the budget session.