New Delhi: Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav was targeted at his Delhi residence on Sunday, triggering a scuffle and commotion between his supporters and the attacker.
A shoe was thrown at the MP from Bihar’s Purnia while he was addressing a press conference, with Yadav later alleging that the incident was part of an attempt to assassinate him.
According to reports, a group of individuals allegedly confronted Yadav during the media interaction and one person allegedly hurled a shoe at him, leading to a clash with his supporters.
Pappu and his supporters later claimed that one person was carrying a knife. Visuals circulating on social media showed a knife placed on a table after the incident.
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Yadav claimed there was a conspiracy to kill him and alleged that a reward had been announced on his head.
According to sources, the person who entered the venue and threw the shoe at Yadav identified himself as Sumit, a resident of UP’s Bulandshahr. He was quickly overpowered and detained by security persons.
“He came to kill me with a knife,” Yadav alleged.
“Every day, some religious figures are saying, ‘Burn him, we will give Rs 51 lakh.’ Everyone is saying, ‘Kill him.’ There was a conspiracy to kill me,” Yadav added.
“They first took off a slipper and threw it. When the knife was drawn to attack, our supporters and associates tried to restrain the assailant. I stepped forward and positioned myself between the attacker and Pappu Yadav, and I was beaten severely as a result,” said Yadav’s media convenor who was present at the spot, adding that the attack escalated after the shoe was thrown.
Police are verifying the sequence of events at the press conference, including whether the accused had come armed with a knife.
When Sumit was handed over by Yadav’s supporters, a knife was also given to the cops. Police are also investigating circumstances surrounding the recovery of the knife.
Sumit apparently told police he was upset over the alleged insult to seers (sadhus) during Yadav’s skit on Ram Mandir donations theft inside Parliament premises.
A group of sadhus on Saturday registered an FIR against Yadav along with Rahul Gandhi and Awadhesh Prasad, who also took part in the skit mocking donations theft.
