New Delhi: Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mehmood Ali on Friday courted controversy after he allegedly slapped his security officer for not arranging a bouquet on time, news agency IANS reported. A video, which has gone viral on the social media, purportedly showed the minister raising his hand on one of his security personnel.
According to the report, the incident took place during an event at a government school in Hyderabad. The state Home Minister was greeting Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav on his birthday. As soon as the Home Minister arrived, he greeted Yadav and embraced him. However, as the security officer failed to arrange a bouquet on time, Ali lost his cool and allegedly raised his hand, IANS reported.
In the viral video, Yadav was seen trying to pacify his senior colleague as the other assistants rushed with a shawl and bouquet.
The incident has stoked a controversy with Opposition leaders criticising the minister for his action.
Condemning the incident, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee Vice President Kiran Kumar Chamala said it shows the attitude of the political party in power.
Speaking to news agency ANI, the Congress leader said, “Telangana Home Minister Mahmood Ali slapping the security person for not getting a bouquet, shows the clear attitude of the leaders in power. They are not respecting the government officials working under them or the people of the state. The attitude and arrogance of these leaders have reached its peak after coming to power twice. It's time that the people of Telangana teach them a lesson.”
Terming the incident “shameful” and “shocking”, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawala, as quoted by the news agency, said, “It shows the arrogant mindset of the BRS. For them, family first, vote bank first, and corruption first, and they keep insulting others... Will he be sacked and made to apologise to all the police officers of Telangana, or will he be allowed to continue in the name of vote bank?”
Reacting to the alleged incident, BJP MP Arvind Dharmapuri demanded the resignation of the Telangana Home Minister and said the Deputy chief minister who handles the Home Ministry should be booked.
“KCR has to answer. Being a home minister, he slapped his security person out of arrogance. He should resign immediately. A case needs to be registered against the Deputy CM who handles the Home Ministry here. DGP has to take action against and file a case against Mahmood Ali,” the BJP leader told ANI.