Police and excise personnel conducted searches at the residence and other premises of a tribal Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district following a complaint of cash and liquor hoarding. However, no such recovery was made, as confirmed by an official on Monday.
Harassment
The Indian National Congress (INC) criticized the search as harassment of their tribal MLA, Nilesh Uikey, alleging misuse of power by the BJP government. Superintendent of Police Manoj Khatri stated that after receiving the complaint, a team searched several places in Rajola Raiyat village on Sunday evening. However, they returned empty-handed after finding nothing at those locations.
Legislator Uikey, representing the Pandhurna (ST) assembly seat in Chhindwara, reported that police and excise officials “raided” his house and agricultural fields around 4 pm on Sunday. Despite a three-hour search, no election-related items were found. Uikey expressed his frustration at being unable to intervene during the search.
BJP
Uikey accused the BJP of resorting to intimidation out of fear of defeat and claimed it was an insult to the tribal community. He asserted that tribal people would respond fittingly to the BJP’s actions.
MP Congress president Jitu Patwari echoed Uikey’s sentiments, labeling the search as harassment and indicative of the BJP’s dictatorial attitude. Patwari highlighted the fruitless nature of the search, claiming it yielded no evidence.
Defend
In response to the allegations, state BJP spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi defended the investigation agencies, accusing the Congress of habitually undermining their efforts. Chaturvedi urged the Congress to adhere to Election Commission rules and cooperate with the agencies. He also accused Congress’ Lok Sabha poll candidate Nakul Nath of attempting to purchase votes through monetary distribution.
The Lok Sabha elections in MP will occur in four phases from April 19 to May 13, with polling in the Chhindwara parliamentary constituency scheduled for April 19.
