New Delhi: A video showing BJP MLA Sunil Kamble losing his cool and slapping a police official at an event in Maharashtra’s Pune has gone viral. The clip, shared by news agency ANI, shows the BJP leader losing balance and stumbling while descending the stage. In a fit of anger, he is seen lashing out and slapping an on-duty police official. The event was also attended by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
According to the news agency, the incident took place at the inauguration event of the transgender ward in Pune’s Sassoon Hospital on Friday.
The BJP MLA’s action has drawn Opposition ire. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar slammed Kamble and described the reported act as brazen “display of corrupt power”.
Sharing a clip of the incident on X, the Congress leader wrote in Hindi, “From Abdul Sattar yesterday to BJP MLA Sunil Kamble today, the display of corrupt power continues. The audacity of the ruling MLA is evident as he allegedly slapped a on-duty policeman. Will the Home Minister address this matter? Urgent action against BJP MLA Sunil Kamble for assaulting a police officer is imperative, or there will be attempts to stop cops from filing a complaint against him.”
Shiv Sena's Sushma Andhare also criticised Kamble over his reported action.
"BJP legislator Sunil Kamble is known for his consistent use of abusive language, violence, and his bullying tactics. He feels empowered to engage in such behaviour because as BJP MLAs, they have been granted permission by the party to engage in such criminal activities,” Andhare said in a post on X.
According to reports, Kamble denied his involvement in the slapping incident and said he merely pushed an individual while descending the staircase.