A parliamentarian of the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh is on camera threatening to “skin a police officer alive”, allegedly over corruption. Priyanka Singh Rawat, the MP from Barabanki, repeats the threat without remorse.
“I will get all the malai out, khaal bhi khichwa lungi (I will get all the illegal wealth seized, will skin you alive),” Ms Rawat, 31, allegedly told police officer Gyananjay Singh on the phone, shouting at him for “misbehavior”.
She repeated the words when reporters asked her about her alleged threat to Mr Singh, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, at Barabanki, around 40 km from Lucknow.
“They have reaped enough under the previous government. Khaal utaar denge if they do not work properly,” she said to reporters.
The police officer, she said, had misbehaved and shown poor attitude.
“We have Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government at the centre and Yogi Adityanath’s government in Uttar Pradesh. Only those who perform will stay in this district. If their conduct doesn’t improve, then we will take strict action and their record will be checked,” the lawmaker warned.
This is the second incident this week involving a BJP lawmaker.
On Wednesday, a bank manager was pulled out of his office, bundled into a waiting vehicle and thrashed allegedly by BJP legislator Kesar Singh, who was offended that the official wasn’t listening to him. Mr Singh says he had gone to the bank after complaints that farmers who had defaulted on loans weren’t allowed to withdraw money despite the state government’s farm loan waiver.
“I introduced myself because it was possible that he did not know me. Still he did not ask me to sit,” said Mr Singh, alleging that the official argued with him. The lawmaker joined the BJP last year after the BSP of Mayawati expelled him.
Since Yogi Adityanath took charge over a month ago, there have been two massive shuffles of policemen and bureaucrats.
