CM Dhami demands apology from Uttarakhand Congress over remarks on residents, NSA Doval
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami used the closing of Khel Mahakumbh 2026 to demand a public apology from state Congress leaders, targeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for allegedly calling Uttarakhand residents in UP 'infiltrators' and hitting out at critics of NSA Ajit Doval — putting the INDIA bloc alliance under fresh regional scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on 1 November 2026 demanded that Uttarakhand Congress apologise for remarks allegedly made against state residents and NSA Ajit Doval .
BJP leaders allege SP president Akhilesh Yadav called Uttarakhand people living in Uttar Pradesh 'infiltrators'.
Dhami accused Congress of tolerating the remarks to protect its INDIA bloc alliance, at the cost of Uttarakhand's dignity.
Speaking at the Khel Mahakumbh 2026 closing ceremony in Dehradun , Dhami alleged Congress was seeking to replicate political unrest seen in Bangladesh and Nepal .
He invoked Atal Bihari Vajpayee to argue Congress is 'dangerous for the nation' whether in or out of power.
Dhami called on state Congress leaders to publicly clarify their position on the controversial remarks.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday, 1 November 2026, demanded that the state Congress leadership publicly apologise for remarks allegedly made by senior Opposition figures against the people of Uttarakhand and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Speaking in Dehradun, Dhami accused the Opposition of actively attempting to foment unrest in the country.
The Akhilesh Yadav 'Infiltrator' Row
The controversy centres on allegations by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders that Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav had allegedly described people from Uttarakhand living in Uttar Pradesh as 'infiltrators'. The BJP has argued that the Indian National Congress is prioritising its alliance within the INDIA bloc over the dignity of Uttarakhand's residents — effectively staying silent on the remarks to preserve the coalition.
Addressing the closing ceremony of Khel Mahakumbh 2026, Dhami directed pointed criticism at the Congress, alleging the party had grown increasingly disruptive after losing power at multiple levels.
Dhami's Key Allegations
'The party whose leaders have a history of undermining democracy, imposing the Emergency in the country, and dismissing elected governments from time to time has now lost power,' Dhami said. He further alleged that decades of misrule had eroded public trust in the party. 'The public no longer trusts them because people have witnessed their misdeeds continuously for 60 years, both in the states and at the national level. This reflects their frustration and disappointment,' he added.
Dhami also cited an appeal by traders urging Congress to postpone a proposed event at Ramlila Maidan until after Diwali and the festive season, arguing that the gathering could harm businesses and inconvenience citizens. 'They were urged not to harm businesses or inconvenience people. However, they are determined to create disorder. They want to create situations similar to those in Bangladesh and Nepal and bring about regime change,' he alleged.
Invoking Vajpayee and NSA Doval
Dhami invoked former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to frame his attack: 'I am reminded of Atal ji's words — when Congress is in power, they become dangerous for the people of the nation; when they are not in power, they become dangerous for the nation.'
He also raised the alleged criticism of NSA Doval, who hails from Uttarakhand. 'They are badmouthing NSA Ajit Doval, who is Uttarakhand's son. Akhilesh Yadav is using words like "infiltrator" for people of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Congress should answer whether they support the comments made by him. If you don't support their comments, then you should speak up,' Dhami said.
Call for Clarification from Uttarakhand Congress
Dhami urged the state Congress unit to publicly clarify whether it endorses the remarks by Yadav and other Opposition leaders. 'If you don't agree with what they said, and respect Uttarakhand and its roots, then you should speak up,' he said. The Congress has not issued an immediate response to the demands. The episode adds a fresh regional dimension to the ongoing tensions within and around the INDIA bloc ahead of upcoming political contests.
Point of View
Suggesting BJP is deliberately widening its terrain of attack. How Uttarakhand Congress responds — or whether it stays silent — may say more about the INDIA bloc's internal cohesion than any formal alliance statement.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Dhami demand from Uttarakhand Congress?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami demanded that the Uttarakhand Congress leadership publicly apologise for remarks allegedly made by senior Opposition figures, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, against the people of Uttarakhand and NSA Ajit Doval. He also asked state Congress leaders to clarify whether they endorse those remarks.
What did Akhilesh Yadav allegedly say about Uttarakhand residents?
BJP leaders have alleged that SP president Akhilesh Yadav referred to people from Uttarakhand living in Uttar Pradesh as 'infiltrators'. Yadav's camp has not issued an immediate clarification on the specific claim as reported.
Why is NSA Ajit Doval mentioned in this controversy?
NSA Ajit Doval hails from Uttarakhand, and CM Dhami alleged that Opposition leaders had made derogatory remarks about him. Dhami framed this as an insult to the entire state and demanded that Congress distance itself from such comments.
What was the occasion for Dhami's remarks?
Dhami made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of Khel Mahakumbh 2026 in Dehradun on 1 November 2026. He used the platform to launch a broader political attack on the Congress and the INDIA bloc.
What is the broader political context of this row?
The dispute highlights growing tensions within the INDIA bloc, particularly between the Congress and its regional allies like the SP. BJP is using the alleged 'infiltrator' remark to portray Congress as prioritising alliance politics over the interests of Uttarakhand voters — a narrative that could have electoral consequences in the state.
