'Go to your MLA': BJP legislator's response to water crisis sparks protest

BHOPAL: A BJP MLA in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district landed in controversy after he allegedly refused to hear grievances of villagers from a neighbouring Assembly constituency, telling them they were "not his voters".Later, an agitated villager placed his young child on the bonnet of the legislator's parked car in protest.A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.The incident occurred during a Jan Chaupal (public grievance meeting) organised by Karera MLA Ramesh Khatik at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Bhawan in Narwar tehsil on Thursday.According to eyewitnesses, residents of Nanakpur and Barkhadi villages, which fall under the neighbouring Pohri Assembly constituency represented by Congress MLA Kailash Kushwah, attended the meeting to raise complaints over drinking water scarcity and erratic electricity supply.Villagers alleged that after looking at their application, Khatik declined to hear their grievances, saying they belonged to the Pohri constituency and were not voters in his Assembly segment.They claimed the MLA asked them to approach their own legislator instead.The remark triggered an argument, with villagers insisting they had come to seek help from the state government and not from a particular MLA."We have come to the government with our problems. You are a ruling party MLA. At least hear us," some villagers were heard saying in videos of the incident.As the confrontation intensified, one villager placed his three-to-four-year-old child on the bonnet of the MLA's parked vehicle, saying, "If you won't listen to us, then take our children as well."People present at the venue removed the child.The exchange led to a brief commotion before officials and others present intervened.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bhopal | Silver Rate in Bhopal | Bank Holidays in Bhopal | Public Holidays in Bhopal | Petrol Price in Bhopal | Diesel Price in Bhopal | CNG Price in Bhopal | LPG Price in BhopalStay updated with the latest Bhopal news. Download the TOI App.