Bilaspur: ‘Chor’ Slogans Trigger MLA’s Outburst

A routine governance outreach programme in Bilaspur’s Godhi village turned volatile after a BJP MLA was caught on camera using abusive language against Congress workers, who had surrounded the stage with “chor-chor” (thief-thief) slogans.

The incident occurred during a ‘Sushasan Tihar’ camp on Saturday, an event meant to address public grievances. The video, now circulating widely on social media, shows the moment the ruling party representative lost his cool, escalating a heated debate into a full-blown political face-off.

Verbal Clash Erupts on Stage

The confrontation began when senior Congress leader Rajendra Shukla raised a list of local issues from the podium. According to sources present at the event, Shukla questioned the authorities over poor road conditions, inconsistent electricity supply, and delays in distributing fertiliser and seeds to farmers.

As the Congress leader pressed for answers, officials on stage reportedly struggled to provide satisfactory responses. This is when the atmosphere, officials said, began to shift from a question-answer session to an argument.

Bilha MLA and former state assembly speaker Dharam Lal Kaushik stepped in to defend the government’s record. But instead of calming things down, his intervention led to a sharp exchange.

MLA Responds to ‘Chor-Chor’ Slogans

Matters spiralled when Congress supporters present at the camp began chanting “chor-chor,” targeting the ruling dispensation over allegations of corruption and poor implementation of welfare schemes.

Initial reports indicate the slogans were a reaction to Shukla’s allegations that applications from villagers were being ignored by the administration.

Witnesses said Kaushik, visibly agitated by the chants, stood up and hurled an expletive in the direction of the Congress workers. The moment was captured on mobile phones and has since been shared across WhatsApp and other platforms.

“The slogans crossed a line, and the MLA reacted. It happened very fast,” said a villager who did not wish to be named.

Administration Steps In to Restore Order

For about ten minutes, the stage resembled a political battlefield. Both sides shouted at each other, and the camp’s focus on governance was completely lost. Local administrative officers and other public representatives had to physically intervene to separate the two groups.

Following the intervention, the event resumed but the tension remained palpable. No formal complaint was filed immediately from either side, though sources said the district administration has taken note of the visuals.

Kaushik Denies Personal Dispute

A day after the incident, on Sunday, MLA Kaushik sought to downplay the event. Speaking to reporters, he denied any personal dispute with Shukla. He explained that when he arrived at the camp, the Congress leader was already engaged in a heated exchange with officials.

“The purpose of Sushasan Tihar is to solve people’s problems. Everyone has the right to speak. But disrupting government work is not right,” Kaushik said, without directly addressing the abusive language used by him.

Another Incident in Durg Adds to Concerns

This is the second such controversy linked to the state government’s flagship grievance camps in recent days. On Friday, in Durg district’s Thanoud village, a Janpad CEO and a BJP leader engaged in a shouting match at a similar event.

The argument there reportedly began over a missing file related to community hall funds. A video showed the CEO challenging the BJP leader with the words, “Do whatever you want.” That clip too went viral.

The back-to-back episodes have raised questions about the conduct of public representatives and officials at events meant to bring the administration closer to people. Political observers say such clashes only undermine the purpose of governance outreach. With local body elections expected later this year, both parties are likely to use these videos to make their case on the ground.