The BJP has charged Congress with instigating a `Mandsaur like situation’ in Tikamgarh where a group of farmers were allegedly detained, stripped and beaten by police after a Congress protest rally on Tuesday night.
Party MLA from Tikamgarh K K Shrivastava alleged that Congress leaders had already pulled off their clothes during the agitation in order to provoke police for action. They had planned to create a situation like Mandsaur, where police had resorted to firing on violent agitators, killing five farmers and injuring several.
“Congress has failed to retain power in the state and created a`Mandsaur like situation’ in Tikamgarh on Tuesday to take political mileage in the name of farmers’ beating. But, the administration and police proved their game plan unsuccessful”, said BJP MLA Shrivastava, on Thursday.
He said Congress allegations against police for detaining, stripping and beating the farmers were concocted and a part of high-level political drama ahead of assembly elections in the state. It was Congress leader and former minister Yadvendra Singh is trying to get party ticket from the area and also to make an issue out of drought like situation in the district, he said.
“As the Congress agitation failed to draw the attention of the public, the leaders decided to give it a turn by inciting violence. They not only hurled stones but also attacked policemen after the rally to create a volatile situation. More than eight policemen were injured during the rally and hospitalised”, said Shrivastava.
Meanwhile, Congress has alleged that BJP was trying to divert the issue by blaming Congress leaders but, it cannot misguide the farmers who had undergone the agony in the Dehat police station two days ago.
“The party will hold demonstrations in all district headquarters on October 6 to protest against atrocities committed against the peasants and also submit a memorandum to the Governor”, said Congress state general secretary Chandrika Prasad Dwevedi.
