UP Viral Video: A clip showing Bharatiya Janata Party's MLA from Srinagar in Uttar Pradesh, Manju Tyagi, snatching a local election papers has gone viral on social media. The incident took place during the nomination of the cooperative society elections election in Lakhimpur district. BJP MLA Manju Tyagi can be seen snatching the Opposition's papers from the hands of SDM and fleeing. After the clip went viral, former Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav made a "bulldozer" jibe at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Bhojpuri singer Neha Singh Rathore, who is known for her anti-BJP stance, also taunted state officials for letting the MLA get away with such a brazen act. She said: "BJP MLA Manju Tyagi snatched the nomination papers of the Opposition candidates in front of the SDM. Her act of 'bravery' was seen during the cooperative society elections in Lakhimpur. The officials just looked on... what else could they do."
Akhilesh Yadav Asks 'Where Is Yogi's Bulldozer'
Sharing the clip, Akhilesh Yadav said BJP MLA Manju Tyagi snatched the forms and other papers for the sugarcane committee election from the SDM and fled. "The officers of the Yogi government just looked on and even tolerated abuses from the supporters of the MLA," he said.
Accusing CM Yogi Adityanath of being "drunk with power", Akhilesh Yadav said: "CM Yogi should explain in which hole is his bulldozer hiding? Is this the security system to ensure fair elections? [CM Yogi] must stop being shameless and admit that he is the patron and director of hooliganism and mafia in UP."
The Yogi Adityanath government is known for its brand of "bulldozer justice", wherein it demolishes the homes of the accused in criminal cases using diggers and excavators, colloquially called "bulldozers".
Samajwadi Party Demands Investigation
The Samajwadi Party has targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party over the video. The SP said that the BJP government is "bent on destroying democracy". "It is shameful that BJP MLA Manju Tyagi snatched and tore the papers of the applicants. Appropriate action should be taken in the matter and fair elections should be ensured."
The nomination process for the cooperative society elections in UP started on Thursday, during which a lot of ruckus was seen. Candidates and their supporters were seen pushing and shoving to enter the office to submit nominations, due to which the police used force to control the crowd. The police personnel, however, were seen standing silently as Manju Tyagi and her supporters fled the scene after snatching the papers.
At this, the SP accused the administration of rigging the elections at the behest of the government.