A political event in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district witnessed an unexpected controversy after a BJP Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) expressed anger over seating arrangements during the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sammelan’. The incident, which occurred in the presence of senior party leaders and government officials, has drawn attention after a video surfaced on social media showing the MLC overturning a chair before briefly walking out of the programme.

The event was held on Saturday at Deendayal Auditorium in Jhansi and attended by several elected representatives ahead of the arrival of the Chief Minister. According to officials and party leaders, the dispute began over the allocation of seats on the stage, where positions had been arranged according to protocol.

Teacher constituency MLC Dr. Babulal Tiwari was allotted a seat in the front row of the stage. However, reports indicate that the chair was occupied by Jhansi Mayor Bihari Lal Arya when the MLC arrived. As a result, Dr. Tiwari was reportedly shifted to a seat in the second row, triggering dissatisfaction.

The situation escalated when the Chief Minister arrived and dignitaries stood up to welcome him. During that moment, security personnel attempted to adjust the seating arrangement, prompting a visible reaction from the MLC. Video footage shows Dr. Tiwari turning over a chair before leaving the stage. He later returned and took a seat at the back of the dais following requests from officials.

MLC Explains His Stand

Speaking about the incident, Dr. Tiwari said the issue was not about personal status but about maintaining discipline and protocol. He described himself as a teacher and former principal who values orderly conduct in public life.

According to the MLC, some individuals in politics disregard established arrangements in pursuit of visibility and photographs. He claimed there was confusion regarding his designated seat and that objections were raised even when he chose to sit in the back row. He said he left the programme after feeling uncomfortable but returned after senior administrative officials requested him to do so.

Dr. Tiwari maintained that he had not violated discipline and only reacted to what he viewed as an avoidable situation.

District Panchayat President Also Upset

The controversy was not limited to the MLC. District Panchayat President Pawan Gautam also reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the seating arrangement before the Chief Minister's arrival.

Sources said Gautam objected to the protocol being followed and later left the event midway. He subsequently shared a message on Facebook emphasizing the importance of self-respect and suggesting that public positions hold little value without dignity.

The post quickly attracted attention and added a political dimension to what initially appeared to be a protocol-related dispute.

BJP Responds

BJP city president Sudhir Singh stated that seating arrangements for the programme were prepared strictly according to established protocol. He said the event organizers had followed the prescribed format for accommodating public representatives on the stage.

Singh added that he was not immediately aware of the developments involving the MLC or the Facebook post by the District Panchayat President but acknowledged that the matter was being reviewed. Attempts were reportedly made to contact the Mayor regarding the allegations linked to the seating issue, though no response was received.

The incident has sparked discussion within local political circles about protocol management at high-profile government and party events. While no formal complaint has been reported, the episode highlights how organizational lapses, even involving seating arrangements, can quickly become matters of political controversy.

For now, party leaders have downplayed the incident, but the viral video and public reactions have ensured that the Jhansi event remains a talking point in regional political discussions.