PrashantNews
The political drama between former BJP MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion and his rival politician and independent legislator Umesh Kumar continued on Friday in Uttarakhand with the police resorting to lathicharge on the latter’s supporters in Haridwar district.
Kumar was detained at Lachhiwala area in Dehradun when he was proceeding to participate in a rally in Haridwar district on Friday against Champion.
Champion, a four time MLA, was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly opened gun shots at the office of Kumar at Roorkee in Haridwar district.
After Champion’s supporter threatened to hold mahapanchayat on the issue, Kumar’s supporters also tried to hold a rally in the district on Friday. However, police dispersed Kumar’s supporters following a mild lathicharge. Some policemen and Kumar’s supporters were injured during the lathicharge and stone pelting incidents.
Champion’s arrest came after the tension grew between the two leaders as they launched war of words against each other through social media. Champion has been sent to 14 days judicial custody.
Kumar had defeated Champion’s wife Devyani (BJP) from Khanpur assembly seat in the 2022 vidhan sabha election. Since then, the two leaders are having tensed relations due to the political rivalry.
Meanwhile, Champion, a former MLA, described his arrest as unfortunate and said he was being made scapegoat in the entire episode. On the other hand, Kumar said he would continue to fight for his honour and dignity. “This is a fight between two individuals. Please don’t make it a fight between communities,” he said.