BJP MP and spokesperson G.V.L. Narasimha Rao was at the receiving end of a shoe thrown at him by a man identified as Shakti Bhargava, while he was addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday.
Mr. Rao was briefing journalists about the party’s decision to field Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur from the Bhopal as a “fight against the Congress’ conspiracy to defame Hindu religion by linking it with terror” when the incident happened.
The Delhi Police held Mr. Bhargava and let him off soon after verification with DCP (Central) M.S. Randhawa saying that he had been taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital for medical examination before being questioned by a joint team of Intelligence Bureau and Special Cell.
“It seems that he had some personal issues and did this act to get into the limelight. Till now no document or his association with any group or organisation has been established. The investigation is on. No complaint has been received regarding the matter,” said Mr. Randhawa. He added the man is from Kanpur, where his family owns a hospital. He had some dispute with his family over property.
Mr. Rao continued with his press conference stating “we are contesting this election in Bhopal as a fight against the Congress conspiracy to insult Hindu religion by linking it to terrorism. Digvijaya Singh was the face of this conspiracy.” Mr. Singh is the Congress candidate from the seat.
‘Thakur innocent’
Dubbing Ms. Thakur as an innocent person, he said she was tortured and asked Opposition parties what problem they have if the BJP has fielded her as its candidate.
He alleged that Congress president Rahul Gandhi had “masterminded” the “conspiracy”, claiming that it was meant to appease a minority community.
Published - April 18, 2019 11:08 pm IST
