New Delhi: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was seen stopping the state BJP president VD Sharma from delivering a speech at a public event in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district on Saturday in a viral video on social media platforms.
The video showed Scindia taking over the podium to address the gathering after saying something to Sharma when the latter's name was announced to address the crowd.
The incident occurred during an event organised to mark the location of tigers in Madhav National Park in the state. A political row erupted after the video went viral on social media platforms.
The video clip showed Sharma returning to his seat after he went to deliver the speech following his name announcement. Sharma returned to his seat after having a short conversation with the minister and smiling at him.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia then delivered his speech. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was also present on the stage when the incident took place.
As the video was circulated widely on social media, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee Chairman of the media department KK Mishra took a swipe at Scindia.
In a tweet this morning, he said, "When Scindiaji wants to get something, he gets it only by removing someone, be it VD Sharma or Kamal Nath? Is this his sanskar?"
He further hit out by saying Scindia's "family tradition was to sideline other leaders."
While issuing clarification on the matter, BJP's state media in-charge Lokendra Parashar said, "In the Bharatiya Janata Party, the honour of the President is the highest, the Congress, which is going through poor traditions, cannot understand this. The Union Minister had requested to give a speech to honour President VD Sharma."
He also noted party president's speech can come at the end of the programme as the party chief is the most respected figure.
This comes after Scindia was embroiled in controversy over another viral video in which an older state minister was seen touching his feet.
Madhya Pradesh state Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh touching the feet of Union Minister Scindia at an event.
Telangana state Renewable Energy Development Corporation Chairman Y Sathish Reddy took to Twitter and hit out at the BJP by saying, "Is this the meaning of Double Engine Sarkar?"