India, Nov. 15 -- Congress MLA from Dharchula, Harish Dhami, and his supporters allegedly vandalised the inauguration stage of the 10-day Jauljibi Mela along the Indo-Nepal border in Pithoragarh district on Saturday after he claimed he was not permitted to speak in the presence of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

The incident took place shortly after the chief minister inaugurated the traditional fair and departed from the venue. According to Congress leaders, the Dharchula legislator, who also serves as the chairperson of the fair committee, was aggrieved over allegedly being denied an opportunity to address the gathering and raise local demands in the chief minister's presence.

Speaking to reporters after the protest, Harish Dhami ...