Dehradun: A late-night political stand-off unfolded at Dehradun’s Parade Ground after district authorities withdrew permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to address a student gathering, titled “Chhatron ki Goonj,” scheduled for July 17.
The administration cited an ongoing event at the ground as the reason for the withdrawal. However, Congress members claimed they had sought and initially received conditional approval from municipal authorities to host their event at the venue from July 15 to July 17.
The sudden revocation prompted senior Congress leaders, including state chief Ganesh Godiyal, Harak Singh Rawat, and Pritam Singh, to rush to the Parade Ground late Tuesday night, where they staged a protest.
“The BJP government is scared of Rahul Gandhi, therefore we have been denied the Parade Ground,” Godiyal alleged.
Following the protest, the event was officially relocated to the Bannu School ground in the Race Course area. Congress leaders arrived at the new venue early Wednesday morning to begin preparations for the Friday evening gathering.
Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya condemned the administration’s decision, calling it a planned move to disrupt preparations and distract the public. “We all know that BJP is behind the development as the party does not want our programme to be held in Dehradun,” Arya said, asserting that “such acts will not deter the Congress from holding the event.”
Dismissing the allegations, state BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt said, “It was a political event, and the Congress was trying to create a controversy over the issue simply to gain media coverage.”
Courtesy : TOI
Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights