AGRA: Angry over ticket allotment to aspiring candidates for the civic body elections, a
BJP worker allegedly threw ink on MLA
Yogendra Upadhyaya
while the latter was addressing a party meeting in Agra. The incident took place at Jaat House near Agra College grounds on Monday afternoon at around 2 pm. Upadhyaya along with other senior party leaders had gathered to take out a small march to the municipal corporation office with their mayoral candidate
Naveen Jain
, a real estate developer in the city.
Jitender Balmiki, resident of Mohangadi, Jewani Mandi, who threw ink on the MLA, was later booked by police under section 392 (robbery) of the IPC. SO
Jagdamba Singh
of Lohamandi said, "Based on the written complaint of Naveen Gautam, aide of MLA Upadhyaya, we lodged a complaint against Balmiki, who is absconding after the incident."
Singh added, "In the FIR, Gautam said that Balmiki had first attempted to snatch a gold chain from the former's neck, but when Gautam resisted, Balmiki threw ink on him. Some of the ink also hit other party leaders nearby including MLA Upadhyaya and
Suresh Singh Chauhan
."
However, Vijay Shivhare, Agra city president of BJP told TOI, "Yes a man threw ink on Upadhyaya."
A party source claimed that the MLA's entire face was covered in ink. "Upadhyaya had to call off his march to the municipal corporation and returned home to clean his face and change clothes."
Superintendent of police, Agra city, Kunwar Anupam Singh said, "During investigation, we found that a BJP worker who was dissatisfied at senior leaders threw ink at them." A senior BJP leader said, "Balmiki is of unsound mind. He wanted a ticket for councillor's post but his candidature was rejected. Enraged, he committed this act." After the incident, Balmiki was allegedly assaulted by supporters of Upadhyaya.