BJP MLA Confronts Minister Over Pending Development Works in Mahoba
High-voltage political drama unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Mahoba district on Friday when BJP MLA Brijbhushan Rajput and his supporters halted the cavalcade of state Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh. The confrontation centered on what the MLA described as "dug-up roads and pending development works" in the region, sparking a heated argument that drew significant attention.
Escalation of the Confrontation
The situation intensified when police personnel accompanying the minister confronted the MLA and his supporters. According to eyewitness accounts, a tense verbal exchange ensued, with Rajput highlighting several critical issues affecting his constituency. The incident occurred as Minister Singh was returning from an event organized by the RSS's student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Minister Singh had been scheduled to launch a rural drinking water project under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Lilwahi village, but the planned event was disrupted by the unexpected protest. The MLA, who represents the Charkhari assembly segment, presented what he called "evidence" of incomplete infrastructure projects, particularly focusing on water supply schemes and road conditions.
Minister's Response and Assurance
In an attempt to defuse the situation, Minister Singh exited his vehicle and engaged directly with the protesting MLA. He assured Rajput that immediate action would be taken against officials responsible for any delays in development projects. The minister, who previously served as the BJP's state president, even invited the MLA to accompany him to inspect the pending works personally.
"I will visit 40 villages with you. If water is not found there, I will suspend the guilty officials. If roads are left dug up, I will suspend those responsible," Minister Singh declared in a video recording of the incident. This commitment was made in front of local villagers and village heads who had gathered to support the MLA's protest.
Political Reactions and Social Media Fallout
The incident quickly gained traction on social media platforms, with Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav seizing the opportunity to criticize the ruling BJP. Yadav shared viral videos of the confrontation, alleging that the minister had been held "hostage" by a legislator from his own party.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the SP chief commented, "It is not the double-engine BJP government in UP but it's a government whose compartments are clashing with each other." This remark referenced the BJP's often-used "double-engine government" slogan, suggesting internal discord within the party's state administration.
Resolution and Aftermath
Following the heated exchange, Minister Singh took MLA Rajput to the Mahoba District Magistrate's office where they discussed the pending development projects in detail. Before departing the scene, the MLA informed media persons that he was taking the minister to inspect specific sites where work under the Har Ghar Nal scheme remained incomplete and roads were left excavated.
Rajput, serving his second term as MLA from Charkhari, emphasized that his primary concerns revolved around unfinished projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission and inadequate drinking water facilities in numerous villages. The minister's promise to personally visit affected areas and take disciplinary action against negligent officials marked a temporary resolution to the public confrontation.
This incident highlights the growing tensions within political parties over implementation of development schemes and the increasing pressure on elected representatives to deliver tangible results to their constituents. The public nature of the protest underscores the challenges faced by the administration in addressing infrastructure gaps in rural Uttar Pradesh.
