A government event in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary descended into controversy on Friday when BJP MP Ganesh Singh slapped a municipal crane operator in public. The incident took place at Semriya Chowk during the ‘Run for Unity’ programme, where local leaders and officials had gathered to pay floral tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Eyewitnesses said the MP had climbed a hydraulic crane to place a garland on Ambedkar’s statue when the machine suddenly jolted and stopped midway, leaving him stuck in the air. Once the crane was brought down, Singh appeared furious, called over the operator identified as Ganesh Kushwaha and struck him in full view of party workers, police personnel, and onlookers.
Viral Video Draws Public Backlash
The incident was recorded on several mobile phones and the footage quickly spread online, showing the MP stepping out of the crane, shouting angrily, and slapping the operator. The clip sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many calling it a clear case of power misuse. No one from the administration intervened at the moment.
Witnesses later said that the crane’s sudden jerk was caused by a technical fault. “The operator was only doing his job. The sudden movement was mechanical. But the MP lost his temper,” a municipal worker at the site said.
Crane Operator Cites Overload; MP’s Aide Defends Assault
Following the controversy, crane operator Ganesh Kushwaha clarified that the cabin had exceeded its weight limit. “The crane can carry only two people or 125 kilograms, but three senior leaders, Minister of State Pratima Bagri, MP Ganesh Singh, and District BJP President Bhagwati Pandey got in together,” he said. “I had warned them earlier, but no one listened.”
Instead of de-escalating the matter, Singh’s representative Neeta Soni sparked further anger with a social media post defending the MP’s actions. “The MP merely slapped him. His arms and legs should have been broken. If he had fallen from that height, who would have taken responsibility?” she wrote. The remark intensified criticism from political opponents and the public alike.
Congress Demands Apology; BJP Maintains Silence
The Congress condemned the incident, calling it a reflection of “arrogance and entitlement.” State party spokesperson Abhinav Baraulia said, “This is the real face of the BJP where leaders believe they own the public servants and the public alike.” Party MLA Siddharth Kushwaha went a step further, demanding that the MP publicly apologise for what he called “a disgraceful display of power and ego.”
Despite the backlash, no official statement has been released by Ganesh Singh or the BJP. Authorities have also not confirmed whether a complaint has been filed or if disciplinary action will follow. The local administration has refrained from commenting on the controversy.
Unity Event Overshadowed by Violence
What was meant to be a celebration of unity and patriotism has turned into a case study in political arrogance. The ‘Run for Unity’ event, held to honour Sardar Patel’s legacy, instead ended in public outrage and debate over the behaviour of elected representatives in public life.
