MP Sarpanch consumes pesticide at Collectorate, alleges harassment by BJP MLA

A village sarpanch allegedly consumed pesticide on the premises of the Burhanpur Collectorate in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, Aug 7th accusing a BJP MLA and others of harassment in a video that surfaced after the incident.

Amar Singh Mandloi, sarpanch of Sitapur Gram Panchayat, was rushed to hospital in critical condition and is undergoing treatment, officials said.

Before consuming the pesticide, Mandloi recorded a video alleging that Nepanagar BJP MLA Manju Dadu and several others had been harassing him. The MLA could not be reached for comment.

District BJP president Manoj Mane dismissed the allegations as baseless, claiming the Congress-backed sarpanch made them at the opposition party's behest.

Zila Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Srijan Verma said officials were aware of a dispute between Mandloi and the village panchayat secretary.

"The sarpanch is undergoing treatment. Once his condition improves, we will speak to him, understand his grievances and take appropriate steps," Verma said.

Congress leader Ajay Raghuvanshi demanded that police register a case against those named by Mandloi, alleging the tribal sarpanch had been subjected to sustained harassment.

Authorities have not announced any legal action, and the matter remains under investigation.