BJP accuses Youth Congress leader of brawl during MPSC protest; Shivraj More threatens defamation suit

A political war of words has broken out over the ongoing agitation by MPSC aspirants in Pune. BJP chief spokesperson Navnath Ban alleged that there was rowdyism during the protest and showed a video as evidence. Citing the video, he levelled serious allegations against Youth Congress office-bearer Shivraj More.

Ban asked, "The leader of a youth agitation has come out on the road and is fighting with a man who is with a girl. Rohit Pawar, is this your nightlife?" More promptly rejected the allegations.

More said the video dates from before he sat on hunger strike in the agitation. He claimed, "Get the call detail records checked. I have nothing to do with any bar. I was right here and left at one-thirty or two." He also challenged that if it was proved he had gone to any bar, he should be subjected to a narco test or a blood test.

According to More, a boy had stopped a girl and she was being harassed. When a phone call came about it, he sent his office-bearers to the spot. After some time, they called to say that some boys were arguing there. More claimed that when he reached the spot himself, the boys turned on him, and he was trying to settle the quarrel. He also said the girl was left with her mother.

More alleged that, through this episode, the BJP is trying to malign the MPSC students' agitation. Warning Ban, he said, "Navnath Ban, remember, you are assassinating a man's character. I will not spare you either." He also warned that he would file a defamation claim against Ban.

More further alleged that attempts are being made to implicate him at the protest site. He claimed, "A team of 80 people is working to take action against me."

With the agitation over MPSC students' demands continuing, the BJP and the Youth Congress are now trading charges over the video. After More's response to Ban's allegations, the dispute has taken on a still more political colour.