"Can Order Encounter," Brags BJP Lawmaker in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal:  A BJP lawmaker in Madhya Pradesh has boasted publicly that he can order an “encounter”, while hitting out at a journalist who confronted him with tough questions.

Velsingh Bhuria was attending a farmers’ event in a village on Tuesday when he made the remarks. He was apparently offended when bombarded with questions from a crowd, including a journalist. He was asked whether he knew anyone in the local administration.

Mr Bhuria snapped: “You are talking about my clout? I have the powers to order an encounter. If people disturb the peace and create problems, then I can do that. Talk to me with respect. I am your legislator. You are the media. If you want to write about it, do so by all means. I don’t care.”

His hubris faded as the comment generated controversy.

“What is being said on TV is not what I meant to say. I was saying that if there is any threat to peace then the government will take required steps to find a solution. My statements have been twisted… it’s wrong,” Mr Bhuria amended later.

Mr Bhuria is the BJP legislator from Sardarpur constituency.

The BJP, which rules Madhya Pradesh, has not formally responded to the statement, but a local leader brushed aside the comments.

“He is an innocent man and simple. He can’t have said anything like this,” said a BJP district president Ramesh Dhariwal.