Seven people have been booked in connection with a stone pelting attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) ‘Jan Ashirwad Yatra' in Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch district, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said on Wednesday. Allegedly, the seven persons were associated with Congress, Mishra added. Madhya Pradesh BJP president V D Sharma claimed that the yatra which was held on Tuesday evening was attacked and vehicles which were a part of the march were also vandalised by Congress supporters.
The Congress in turn said that the attack should be recognised as people's anger against the ruling party and the government headed by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mishra alleged that former chief minister of the state Kamal Nath had said that stone pelting like Manipur may happen in MP too. He added that Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh had given the example of Nuh (Haryana) violence, saying it may repeat in MP.
The incident took place when BJP's Jan Ashirwad Yatra reached Rawalikui village of Manasa assembly, some villagers surrounded it.
“They were inciting people. An FIR has been registered in the Neemuch stone-pelting (incident) against seven persons, including Khema Gurjar, who are associated with the Congress. The Congress will resort to such tactics out of its frustration,” Mishra claimed, as PTI. Further Mishra added, that Congress has done these things earlier as well, but the people of MP need to understand this.
Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Monday launched the 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra' (March for People's Blessings) from Neemuch. V D Sharma, on Tuesday night alleged that the massive support for the yatra ahead of the assembly polls alarmed Congress and its supporters attacked the march in Neemuch district and vandalised the vehicles.
"I strongly criticise this act of the Congress and we will not spare these goons. Strict legal action will be taken against them," he said.
According to Sharma, the vandals hid behind trees and attacked the yatra and broke the vehicles which were part of the convoy in a systematic manner. The main vehicle (rath) of the yatra along with other vehicles which were part of the convoy were attacked, claimed the BJP leader.
Asked about the BJP's allegations, state Congress Media Department chairman KK Mishra on Tuesday said angry people have started giving their "blessings" to the Jan Ashirwad Yatra.
"VD Sharma is venting out his personal frustration on the Congress. Such reaction from members of the public is coming due to the BJP's own sin. The CM recently distributed shoes to people, who are now returning them with love," Mishra quipped.
With the assembly elections slated to be held later this year in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has launched the mass outreach programme from five different locations in the state to connect with voters ahead of the assembly elections slated to be held later this year.