Attack on 25-car convoy of Maurya in Kushinagar

GORAKHPUR: The convoy of Samajwadi Party (SP) Fazilnagar, Kushinagar candidate Swami Prasad Maurya was attacked near Vishupura Khanwa Patti village in Kushinagar district by some miscreants with wooden sticks and stones, injuring several persons. Many vehicles were also damaged in the attack. The police are investigating the matter.
Maurya and his daughter Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Badaun, Sanghmitra Maurya, have accused the saffron party for the attack.In protest against the attack, SP workers blocked the road raising slogans against the BJP.
Talking to TOI, district magistrate of Kushinagar, S Rajalingam, said, "The incident took place when Swami Prasad Maurya in his convoy of around 25 cars was going towards Phulwaria Bazaar. Incidentally, a BJP procession was coming from the opposite direction. When the two processions came face to face, slogans were raised and some stone pelting took place. We have some video clips of the incident and are examining them."
He added, "The SP candidate was allowed to take only one car along with his vehicle while the BJP had taken permission for the procession. After getting complaints from both the sides, FIRs will be lodged. We are looking into the matter."
While talking to reporters, Maurya said that his roadshow was moving on the route determined by the election officer when suddenly some people attacked them with wooden sticks and stones. "Many party workers were injured and the vehicles were also damaged. My driver's ear was injured and the car was also damaged. However, I escaped unhurt as I was in another car," said Maurya accusing the BJP for conspiring the attack.
Maurya's daughter, Sanghmitra, too, accused BJP workers of attacking his father's convoy. "I am a BJP MP but when I was coming towards Fazilnagar after hearing about the attack, BJP workers blocked my way," she said while appealing to the people to vote for her father.
She said that the BJP which claims to make the state riot free is attacking others. As per the sources, Sanghmitra was campaigning for her father for the last 3-4 days.
Maurya had recently joined SP after leaving BJP and is contesting from Fazil Nagar seat. BJP candidate Surendra Singh Kushwaha is contesting from the same seat.