New Delhi: Union Minister Ajay Misra, who is under pressure from the Opposition to resign over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, has been seen in a video hurling insults at an ABP News reporter. A video of the BJP leader where he is seen calling reporters "chor (thieves)" has gone viral.
Ajay Misra's son Ashish is among the 13 accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that took place in October. Farmers have alleged that Ashish was inside a SUV that rammed a crowd of protesting farmers, leading to the death of four.
The SIT probing the Lakhimpur Kheri violence told a court that the killing of four farmers and a journalist was a "pre-planned conspiracy".
When questioned about the SIT charges against his son Ashish, Union Minister gets angry and shouts at the journalist, saying, "Don't ask these stupid questions. Are you mad?"
In the video, the Union Minister and a few members of his entourage can be seen lunging at the reporter and snatching his microphone. "Shut the mic," he says.
The incident happened when Ajay Misra was launching an oxygen plant in Lakhimpur Kheri. He also visited his son in jail.
Uproar In Lok Sabha Over Lakhimpur Kheri Violence
The chorus for the resignation of MoS Ajay Misra gained momentum after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Lakhimpur Kheri violence urged the chief judicial magistrate to replace lesser charges in the case, like causing death by negligence, with an attempt to murder, saying that it was a "pre-planned conspiracy causing death".
Opposition leaders from Congress, TMC and other parties have demanded the immediate removal of Union Minister Ajay Mishra. On Wednesday, Opposition members trooped into the Well of the Lok Sabha with placards and forced adjournment of the proceedings.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha demanding the sacking of MoS Home Ajay Misra Teni.
The BJP on Wednesday rejected as "unfounded" the Opposition’s demand for the resignation of Union minister Ajay Misra.