Panki BJP candidate Shashibhushan Mehta at his press conference here today at the BJP Media centre alleged ‘disturbances’ and ‘assault’ of his workers at the hands of people belonging to his arch rival Congress nominee Devender K Singh alias Bittu Singh but was most careful not to mention the name of Bittu Singh but made a direct allusion to this family’s bus transport service Reliance bus.
Mehta said one of his drivers of his poll campaign vehicle was slapped by the driver of the Reliance bus that this Singh family owns. Mehta said this incident occurred at Tarhassi.
Mehta told media persons that he has directed his driver to lodge the FIR with the Tarhassi police station. Police said it is inquiring into the matter. The Pioneer has carried a news story to this effect that Panki constituency is getting more warmer for wrong reasons this winter. The BJP candidate said, “I apprehend disturbances and more ugly scenes taking place in the Panki assembly constituency because his rivals are upset over the surging support for the BJP here.”
He said, “Rivals have not the courage to stop or intimidate voters but they can harm our cadres and workers.” Asked if he has sought protection from the administration Mehta said, “My protection is given to me by public. I am capable of dealing with them.”
In support of Mehta there came a host of Dhanuk community leaders at his press conference here about which a news was made viral that this community has decided to support non BJP candidate and as part of damage control exercise the BJP leadership arranged this Dhanuk solidarity show for BJP’s Mehta but the star leader of this community Laal Suraj remained conspicuous for his absence.