Bagalkot: A shocking incident has come to light where BJP MLA Siddu Savadi has been accused of manhandling women Taluk Panchayat members of his own party. The incident is said to have occurred during the election for the post of president and vice president of the Mahalingapur Town Municipal Council on Monday.
A viral video of the incident, which went viral on Wednesday, shows Savadi dragging the women member outside the TMC office.
According to sources, the incident occurred when Savadi was allegedly trying to prevent his own party’s Council members from participating in the election.
It is said that three BJP members – Savita Hurakadli, Chandani Nayak and Godavari Baat – had expressed a desire to contest for the post of president and vice president of the Mahalingapur TMC, but the party refused to acknowledge their request and chose another candidate over them.
Dejected with the party’s response, the members identified themselves with the Congress after which Savita Hurakadli decided to contest for the post of President with the support of the Congress, while Godavari Baat filed her nomination papers for the vice president post, also supported by the Congress.
This move reportedly piqued MLA Savadi, who reportedly decided to prevent them from participating in the polls and tried to stop them from entering the office. This is when the MLA allegedly manhandled and dragged the women. Shocked by the incident, the women became emotional.
Responding to the backlash after the video went viral, the MLA denied the allegations and defended himself saying that he was, in fact, trying to save the women from other party members who were upset with them for switching loyalties.
Meanwhile, in an audio release, Superintendent of Police Lokesh Jagalasar said that since nobody has filed any complaint against anyone in connection with the incident, the police have taken suo moto cognisence and the Mahalingapur police have registering a case.
“An inquiry is underway. Suitable action will be taken based on the inquiry,” he said.
