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The by-poll for Rajasthan's Deoli-Uniara Assembly seat witnessed a dramatic turn of events as independent candidate Naresh Meena was arrested on Thursday following a violent confrontation with election officials. Meena, who had previously slapped an election official on camera during voting, was eventually apprehended after a large police force, equipped with riot gear, tracked him down. The incident, dubbed 'Slap-Gate', has sparked widespread controversy and raised concerns about the state's law and order situation.
The incident unfolded during the by-poll, which was triggered after the incumbent MP Harish Chandra Meena was elected to the Lok Sabha. Meena, who was suspended from the Congress party for defying party orders, decided to contest the by-poll as an independent candidate. However, his campaign took a violent turn when he confronted Sub-Divisional Magistrate Amit Choudhary at a polling booth, accusing him of rigging the vote.
A viral video of the incident showed Meena grabbing Choudhary by the collar and slapping him twice. Meena's supporters, who had gathered outside the village where the incident took place, launched violent protests upon his arrest, blocking highways and setting fire to vehicles. Police were forced to use riot gear to disperse the protesters and restore order.
Meena, who has maintained that he acted in response to the official's alleged manipulation of the voting process, claimed that his arrest was politically motivated. He accused the ruling BJP and the Congress party's Tonk MP Harish Chandra Meena of orchestrating his arrest, alleging that they had conspired against him in the past. However, police officials refuted his claims, stating that Meena had assaulted the official during a negotiation with the election officials and had resisted arrest.
The incident has exposed deep divisions and tensions in Rajasthan's political landscape, highlighting the importance of maintaining law and order during elections. It has also raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the potential for violence to erupt in the face of perceived electoral manipulation. The outcome of the by-poll, which is scheduled to be announced on November 23, will be closely watched as it will provide insights into the political dynamics in the state and the impact of the 'Slap-Gate' incident on the ruling BJP.
As the dust settles on the incident, the authorities are tasked with investigating the allegations of electoral malpractices and ensuring that the remaining by-poll process is conducted fairly and peacefully. The incident has served as a stark reminder of the need for responsible political discourse and the importance of upholding the rule of law, even in the heat of political campaigns.
Source: "Wont Surrender": High Drama As Cops Arrest Rajasthan Candidate Who Slapped Official