Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday, 7 March, said indiscipline will not be tolerated in the party, a day after two elected representatives of the ruling BJP came to blows during an official meeting.
The fight, caught on tape, took place during a meeting at the district collectorate in Sant Kabir Nagar in the presence of the minister in charge of the district, Ashutosh Tandon. Speaking at a programme in Lucknow, Adityanath said, "BJP is a disciplined party. Indiscipline will not be tolerated. In this particular case, strict action will be taken against the guilty."
Sant Kabir Nagar MP Sharad Tripathi and Mehdawal MLA Rakesh Baghel got into an argument at the meeting over taking credit for a newly-laid road.
After a brief exchange of words, the MP got up from his seat and began thrashing the MLA with his shoe, as cameras recorded the episode. The MLA reacted, landing a few blows on Tripathi.
The incident had left the party red-faced.
Meanwhile, the UP CM exuded confidence that the BJP will win over 74 seats in the northern state, including Amethi and Azamgarh.
"I believe that people will give us more seats," he said.
“In the last 23 months, we have efficiently improved law and order situation in the state. The successful organisation of Kumbh and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas speaks volume about the change in the state administration.”Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh
The priest-turned-politician also said that there should be no politics on issues related to national security, while referring to the Pulwama terror attack.
"We should not doubt our Army. The state has given government jobs to the kin of the martyred soldiers without any delay," Adityanath added.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)