An alleged attack on Congress MLA from Sawai Madhopur, Danish Abrar, who has been fielded as candidate from the same seat for the Rajasthan Assembly election, has taken a political twist. BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena, pitted against Mr. Abrar, has accused him of orchestrating the attack with his own men.
A group of people with black flags raised slogans and allegedly stoned Mr. Abrar’s car at Malarna Chaud bypass on Monday night when he was returning from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur with his mother and family. The car’s windshield and window panes were damaged and some of Mr. Abrar’s supporters travelling in another car were allegedly beaten.
Mr. Abrar was given a ticket in the Congress’s first list of 33 candidates, announced on October 21, despite stiff opposition from the dominant Gujjar community in the region. Gujjars are indignant over his “unprincipled shift” from the Sachin Pilot camp to the Ashok Gehlot camp during the political crisis in 2020.
Praised for loyalty
Chief Minister Mr. Gehlot has praised Mr. Abrar for his allegiance and said he was one of the MLAs who helped save his government after the rebellion staged by the then Deputy CM Mr. Pilot.
Rajya Sabha member Mr. Meena, who is one of seven MPs fielded by the BJP in the Assembly polls, said Mr. Abrar had been rewarded with a ticket for his loyalty to Mr. Gehlot. He said Mr. Abrar had lied and released a fabricated video of the attack. On the basis of this video the police had detained and tortured half-a-dozen BJP workers on suspicion of involvement.
Mr. Abrar told reporters in Sawai Madhopur that some “anti-social elements” were behind the attack, which would have taken a serious turn if his personal security officer had not been accompanying him. “I would request the Election Commission to take action against such elements and ensure the security of candidates regardless of their party affiliation,” he said.
Hinting at BJP involvement, Mr. Abrar said if anyone thought that by vandalising cars, blocking roads or resorting to violence, they could win an election, they were making a big mistake. “What had not happened in 10 years of my political career has occurred today. My car was smashed and Congress workers were beaten.” he said.
While District Congress Committee president Giriraj Gujjar lodged a complaint with the police , Mr. Meena staged a demonstration along with his supporters outside the Nangal Rajawatan police station. On Mr. Meena’s demand, a case was registered against policemen for assaulting youths in custody.
Mr. Meena said six BJP workers had sustained serious injuries, which was proved by their medico-legal examination. The MP submitted a memorandum to Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta here on Tuesday demanding that government officials posted in the district on the recommendation of Congress MLAs be removed without delay to ensure free and fair elections.
