Uma Bharti clashes with authorities in poll bound UP

Mahoba, Feb 23 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti clashed with state authorities here on Thursday, as the fifth phase of polling began in Uttar Pradesh.

Bharti was demanding the release of three workers of the Hindu radical outfit Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), who were arrested for allegedly distributing cash in Bharti's constituency.

She sat outside the police station and claimed that she and her supporters were being targeted with baseless charges by a member of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

The BJP leader added that the administration was not fair towards her, as they were not preventing the supporters of other parties from moving around.

"I am getting punished for being a VIP. If you see contestants from other parties, they are going here and there for their election campaign. In fact, there are a lot of supporters going around with them. They are not being stopped. Just because I am a VIP, the attention is being diverted towards me," said Bharti.

Police officials had earlier found some money in the possession of the three RSS members, who claimed the cash was being used for purchasing idols.

Bharti and her supporters reached the police station where the three men were held and demanded their release.

After a scuffle with the authorities the RSS members were set free.

Mahoba District Magistrate Muthu Kumar has ordered an impartial investigation into the incident.

"See, this is not about giving punishment. We will decide on the basis of the footage, everyone is impartial. You tell me would people follow you? No. The crowd is definitely because of her, now the district administration will take a decision regarding what has to be done," said Kumar.

The voters are set to decide the fate of Bharti, who is contesting from Charkari seat in Bundelkhand, in this phase of polls in UP.

The state polls in Uttar Pradesh are being viewed as an opportunity for India's major parties to re-establish or strengthen their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state.

Elections to 403 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh are being held in seven-phases.

Polling in Uttar Pradesh began on February 8 and it would conclude on March 3.

Results would be announced on March 6. (ANI)