Villager bites BJP minister’s thumb during election campaign rally in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL: During an election campaign in Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh, a young man was reported to have bitten the thumb of Suresh Dhakad, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and Minister of State, hailing from the Pohari assembly of Shivpuri district.

The incident, which occurred during the minister’s canvassing efforts, left Dhakad with a bandaged thumb as he continued his political activities.Identified as Ram Prasad, the young assailant was also involved in a confrontation with the minister’s security personnel.
He was subsequently apprehended by supporters and handed over to the local police. Police said that the BJP candidate declined to take any legal action against the perpetrator, leading to Prasad’s subsequent release. Locals have suggested that Prasad may be suffering from mental health challenges.

In a separate political gathering in Tikamgarh, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav launched scathing criticism against the ruling BJP, stating, “If the BJP fails to provide necessary rations, why should the people vote for them? Similarly, the Congress cannot be relied upon as it is overly active and pushing for a caste-based census for political gains.” Yadav further emphasized that both the Congress and the BJP were deceiving the public by feigning an interest in conducting a caste census. Taking a swipe at the Congress, he referenced the betrayal of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, highlighting that Nath had not only let down the people but also the SP.
In a separate development, an FIR has been filed against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Mamta Meena and her family members from the Chanchauda assembly seat in Guna district. The complaint was lodged by a local wrestler, Meena, who accused twelve individuals, including Mamta Meena’s husband, son, and brother-in-law, of assault and kidnapping. Another case involving assault has been registered against Mamta in Rajgarh.
Meanwhile, the health of Congress candidate Ramsia Bharti Lodhi, contesting from the Badamalhara assembly in Chhatarpur district, reportedly deteriorated during the ongoing election campaign. Due to his critical condition, Lodhi has been admitted to the ICU ward of the district hospital.