Independent candidate slaps SDM during Rajasthan assembly bypoll duty
An Independent candidate contesting the Deoli-Uniara Assembly bypoll allegedly slapped a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) on Wednesday during election duty, authorities confirmed.
Voting for the bypolls to seven Assembly seats in Rajasthan is currently underway.The counting of votes is scheduled for November 23.
Naresh Meena, a Congress rebel running as an Independent candidate, reportedly assaulted Amit Chaudhary, the SDM of Malpura, by grabbing him by the collar and slapping him, according to an official source.
Tonk Collector and District Election Officer Saumya Jha said that residents of Samravta village, located in Nagar Fort Tehsil, had announced a boycott of the bypolls.
— Dinesh Bohra (@dineshbohrabmr) November 13, 2024">http://कांग्रेस से बागी उम्मीदवार नरेश मीणा ने SDM को मारा थप्पड़ !! pic.twitter.com/HJD6QTy4Jc
— Dinesh Bohra (@dineshbohrabmr) November 13, 2024
"The villagers have been demanding that Samravta be moved to the Uniara Tehsil, which is closer to them," Jha explained. "The issue was raised recently, but the villagers were informed that it would be addressed after the model code of conduct is lifted."
Meena, the Independent candidate, reportedly supported the villagers in their boycott of the election. When Chaudhary, the area magistrate for the bypoll, visited Samravta to urge residents to participate in the vote, the altercation occurred.
Jha confirmed that the election officer had been performing his duties when the incident took place.
