Congress workers lay siege to UP assembly protesting against government
What's the story
Congress party workers have laid siege to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in protest against the state government. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai announced that the protest will focus on issues such as the government's plan to scrap the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and market demolitions. "Our workers have come from different districts... Everyone has been sleeping in the State Committee office all night, including me," Rai told ANI.
Twitter Post
Video shows chaos
#WATCH | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Congress party lays siege to the assembly in protest against the state government. pic.twitter.com/9jxlvP14bv
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2026
Protest details
Protest to also highlight withheld wages, land transfers
Rai further said that the protest will also highlight issues like withheld wages for workers over the last 11-12 months and plans to scrap MGNREGA. He condemned actions against women, workers, Shankaracharya, and Mata Ahilyabai Holkar. The Congress leader also criticized market demolitions in places like Dal Mandi and alleged land transfers to people from Gujarat.
Strike impact
Nationwide strike against central government policies
Last week, workers and farmers across India observed a nationwide strike against central government policies. The protest was organized by several trade unions and political parties. Protesters raised slogans like "Inquilab Zindabad!" (Long live the revolution), "Shramika Ekta Zindabad!" (Long live workers' unity), "Kendra Sarkar Hosh Mein Aao!" (Central Government, come to your senses) among others.
Strike support
Protest against perceived anti-labor and anti-agriculture policies
The strike was called by 10 Central Trade Unions (CTUs) with full support from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). It protested against various policies, including four labor codes, privatization measures, the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, amendments to MGNREGA and the proposed Seed Bill. The CTUs included the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA),