BJP MP-MLA brawl: Both leaders summoned in Lucknow; Baghel protests lathi charge on supporters

Comparing the incident to a domestic feud, Baghel now said he is staging the sit-in against the police officials who charged lathis on his supporters.

Reacting on the brawl between Tripathi and Baghel, M N Pandey, UP BJP President said : “we have taken cognizance of this condemnable incident and both have been summoned to Lucknow. Strict disciplinary action will be taken.”

New Delhi: BJP MLA Rakesh Singh Baghel who exchanged blows with BJP MP Sharad Tripathi in a high-voltage drama at collectorate office in Sant Kabirnagar of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday night, started a protest against the police officials’ lathi charge on his supporters. Reacting on the brawl between Tripathi and Baghel, M N Pandey, UP BJP President said : “we have taken cognizance of this condemnable incident and both have been summoned to Lucknow. Strict disciplinary action will be taken.” On a related note, UP Minister Sidharth Nath Singh cancelled a meeting in Basti, as fear spreads among party workers. Comparing the incident to a domestic feud, Baghel now said he is staging the sit-in against the police officials who charged lathis on his supporters. Baghel said that he won’t end his sit-in until the administration takes action against the policemen who attacked his supporters. He denied having any demands of action against Tripathi and said that the public will answer him. “Moreover the party has witnessed the unfortunate episode and it will decide what action is to be taken.” As the incident went viral leading to mockery of the party, MP Sharad Tripathi called it “unfortunate” and expressed regret over the incident. He said he has been awarded as the best MP in Parliament and people are well aware of his image. He said he spoke to the state unit head of the party and will present his side in front of him. The drama unfolded last night during a meeting in the collectorate office here on Wednesday afternoon as BJP MP Sharad Tripathi and BJP MLA Rakesh Singh Baghel exchanged blows after an argument. The verbal altercation escalated to fist fight between the two leaders in presence of police officials, and state ministers and engineers. Reports say the argument broke out over placement of names on a foundation stone of a project. Tripathi was apparently miffed with an engineer over his name not being cast on the stone to which Baghel said that he (Baghel) be asked as the site falls in his constituency.