Tikamgarh (Madhya Pradesh): During a heated poll debate organized by a national news channel in Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, two individuals reportedly attacked a local BJP leader, as confirmed by the police on Sunday.

The incident unfolded at the Nazarbag ground where the news channel had arranged the debate on Saturday night, an official stated. Representatives from both the BJP and Congress were part of the debate. Allegedly, the accused, identified as Himanshu Tiwari and Babar, raised slogans against the BJP and made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, informed Kotwali police station in-charge Anand Raj.

According to reports, Prafull Dwivedi, the BJP’s district media cell in-charge, objected to their comments, prompting Tiwari and Babar to hurl a chair at him. A scuffle ensued as local leaders intervened to shield Dwivedi.

Following Dwivedi’s complaint, the police registered a case against the accused under sections 499 (defamation), 294 (obscene act), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Babar has been apprehended, but Tiwari remains at large, the official disclosed. District Congress president Naveen Sahu clarified that the accused individuals were not affiliated with his party; they were present as spectators.

This incident marks the second clash during a poll debate organized by news channels in Madhya Pradesh. Earlier on April 13, workers and leaders of both the Congress and BJP allegedly engaged in a physical altercation involving sticks and plastic chairs during a debate hosted by a news channel at a public park in Jabalpur.

A video capturing the chaos circulated on social media, depicting individuals scuffling and tossing plastic chairs amidst the heated exchange.