Cong protests Assam CM’sremarks, burns his effigy

GORAKHPUR: The district Congress on Friday held a protest at Ambedkar Chowk, condemning alleged objectionable remarks made by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against party president Mallikarjun Kharge and nationalspokesperson Pawan Khera.The demonstration, organised on the directions of UP Congress chief Ajay Rai, was led by district president Rajesh Kumar Tiwari. Party workers raised slogans and burnt an effigy of Sarma to register their protest. Addressing the gathering, Tiwari alleged that BJP leaders, “intoxicated with power”, have forgotten democratic decorum. He termed Sarma’s remarksagainst Kharge and Khera as “derogatory, indecent and unacceptable”, adding that such statements not only insult the Congress but also undermine democratic traditions.The Congress warned of a statewide agitation if Sarma does not issue a public apology. “The party will be forced to intensify its protest from the streets to the legislature if an apology is not forthcoming,” Tiwari said.Many party workers, including local leaders and office-bearers, were present during the protest.