MP CM Shivraj Chouhan hits man, BJP defends as "reflex"
What's the story
MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is no stranger to controversies. He is making headlines again, this time for purportedly slapping a man during a roadshow yesterday. The video has gone viral. The Congress said it was a sign of Chouhan's "frustration". He should be booked, it demanded. Strangely, a BJP leader defended it as an "immediate human or knee-jerk reaction."
Information
About the controversial video
The incident happened when Chouhan was at Sardarpur in Dhar district to campaign for the state's civic body polls scheduled on January 17. A video shows him hitting a man beside him while walking, then dragging and pushing him to the other side.
Reax
Congress wants Chouhan booked, but BJP calls it "knee-jerk reaction"
Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh said power had "blinded" Chouhan. He should be booked for assault to deter a public servant from performing his duty, Congress said. The CM's PRO didn't offer any comment. However, senior BJP leader Dr Hitesh Bajpai said the incident was being misinterpreted. Apparently, the man had stepped on Chouhan's injured foot twice. "Chouhan only removed him to protect himself."
Twitter Post
Watch: The video that has gone viral
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan slaps an alleged bodyguard during a rally in Sardarpur. More on this with CNN-News18's @manojsharmabpl pic.twitter.com/Rgn6nPSDo5
— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 16, 2018
Controversies
Chouhan has drawn flak for his bizarre claims, "VIP" mentality
In 2016, Chouhan faced backlash after an image of him being carried by guards while on a flood situation review surfaced. Last year, he drew flak after claiming MP is "far better than America, England and some other countries." "When I got down at the Washington Airport and travelled on the road, I felt roads in MP are better than the US," he said.