UP By Election 2024:
The Meerapur by-election in Muzaffarnagar saw significant disruption. During voting, clashes and stone-pelting forced the police to act. An inspector armed with a pistol was spotted at the Kakroli booth scattering a gathered crowd of women who were arguing with him. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav shared the video, demanding action against the inspector. Following the incident, the SSP publicly provided an explanation.
The SSP stated, 'This video was intentionally spread and is incomplete. The truth is, upon receiving news of the clash, the police arrived to find the road being blocked, and stones were thrown at the police unit. When the police lightly used force, the miscreants fled, positioning women at the forefront.'
Muzaffarnagar Police Statement
The Muzaffarnagar administration explained the turmoil in the Meerapur assembly by-election, stating that on November 20, during the ongoing vote, news emerged of a skirmish near the Kakroli police station. Police rapidly responded to calm the chaos, yet the instigators began pelting stones at the officers. Consequently, the police had to employ minimal force to dispel the disruptors at the scene.
Police Station In-Charge Rajeev Sharma took action by employing riot-control measures to restore normalcy, ensuring no one was threatened. The perpetrators will face legal action under relevant sections for attacking the police force.
What Did Akhilesh Say About The Viral Video?
SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav posted the inspector’s video on social media, asserting that 'the Election Commission must suspend the SHO of the Kakroli area of Meerapur immediately for intimidating voters with a revolver.'
Remarkably, when the SSP provided a clarifying statement, Akhilesh retorted with another post sharing the SSP's video saying, 'Who would trust someone who can lie sitting next to the DM?'
The Mathematics of Meerapur
Notably, the Meerapur assembly seat presents a multi-cornered contest. From the NDA, Mithilesh Pal is contesting from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). Facing Mithilesh are the Samajwadi Party's Sumbul Rana, Azad Samaj Party's Zahid Hussain led by Chandrashekhar, and Bahujan Samaj Party's Shahanjar.
Discussing Meerapur's social dynamics, approximately 40% of the electorate is Muslim. Additionally, there is a substantial representation of Jat and Gurjar voters. Tyagi, Pal, and Dalit voters also play pivotal roles in determining the seat's outcome.
