BJP Leaders Clash During 'Unity March' in Bilaspur: Video Captures Heated Exchange Between MLA and Party Official

Bhopal:

During a BJP-organized 'Unity March' in Bilaspur commemorating Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 150th birth anniversary, an unexpected confrontation erupted between Beltara MLA Sushant Shukla and BJP State Organisation Minister Harshita Pandey, while Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu was present.

The dispute, which cameras captured and subsequently went viral on social media platforms, reportedly stemmed from disagreement over front-row positioning during the march.

Witnesses reported that Harshita Pandey was initially walking alongside Union Minister Tokhan Sahu at the front, carrying the national flag. MLA Sushant Shukla, who began in the second row, later moved forward to position himself next to the Union Minister, apparently provoking Pandey's displeasure and triggering a verbal altercation.

The footage shows both Shukla and Pandey gesturing animatedly and pointing fingers while exchanging heated words. Despite Union Minister Sahu's attempts to defuse the situation, the argument persisted until senior BJP leader Dharamlal Kaushik stepped in to restore order.

Another clip from the event shows a BJP worker grabbing Pandey's arm and whispering something, which has drawn significant criticism online.

The incident has provided ammunition for opposition criticism. Congress spokesperson Abhay Narayan Rai remarked, "On one hand, they are organizing a unity march, but their own unity is falling apart. Instead of following the path of Sardar Patel, they are pursuing a campaign of discord and one-upmanship. The BJP should first hold a unity march for itself before talking about unity for the nation."

BJP spokesperson Pranav Sharma dismissed the controversy, stating: "Nothing like this has happened. This is being made into an unnecessary issue. The march is moving in the right direction and taking everyone along. It is not appropriate to sensationalize this."

The 'Unity March' was conducted across multiple Chhattisgarh cities as part of nationwide celebrations honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In Bilaspur, participants included students, youth volunteers, and senior BJP leaders carrying the national flag and promoting messages of unity and integrity.

Party organizers confirmed that despite the brief confrontation, the march proceeded peacefully afterward.