BJP Leader Accused of Kidnapping and Assaulting Candidate to Prevent Election Run

Raipur

A BJP leader in Raipur has been accused of kidnapping an election candidate to prevent him from contesting the polls. The candidate was allegedly held hostage for two hours, assaulted, and threatened with dire consequences if he proceeded with his nomination. Following the complaint, Tilda Neora police have registered an FIR in the case.

According to the complaint filed by Yogesh Guru Gosai at Tilda police station, he is a resident of Kharora. On January 1, he went to the Janpad Panchayat office with his supporters to collect a nomination form for contesting from Janpad Panchayat Ward No. 18. He collected the form around 1 PM. Shortly after, two individuals—Tikeshwar alias Sonu Manhare and Rahul Dahariya—allegedly confronted him and warned him against contesting the election.

Yogesh claimed that the accused started beating him to prevent him from filing his nomination. They allegedly forced him into their Innova car while continuing the assault. He was held hostage for approximately two hours, during which his mobile phone was snatched, and he was subjected to verbal abuse. He further alleged that Tikeshwar Manhare tore his nomination form and threatened to kill his entire family if he dared to contest the election.

Following the incident, political tensions escalated. Reports suggest that Yogesh Dahariya is also associated with the BJP, and upon learning about the assault, a BJP MLA arrived at the police station to support him. This led to a heated confrontation at Tilda Neora police station late into the night as party members demanded strict action against the accused.

Notably, Tikeshwar Manhare is the brother of Vedram Manhare, the BJP’s state farmer wing secretary.

Reacting to the allegations, Vedram Manhare described the allegations as politically motivated and false. He claimed that Yogesh and his brother Tikeshwar hail from the same village and have no disputes. He asserted that the accusations were fabricated to malign his family and added that he had submitted an application at the police station to quash the “fake” FIR. He also stated that BJP leaders would escalate the matter within the party.

Meanwhile, Additional SP Keertan Rathore confirmed that an FIR was registered based on the complaint and that the second party had also filed an application, which is under investigation.