New Delhi, Dec 18: Samajwadi Party MP, Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, has filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court, seeking a stay on his arrest and the quashing of an FIR related to the violence that erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal during a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.

Barq has argued that his arrest would lead to “irreparable loss” and labelled the allegations against him as politically-motivated.

Denying his involvement in the incident, which claimed five lives and injured several others including 22 policemen, the Sambhal MP accused the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh of using the case as a means to target him for harassment.

Barq also asserted that he was not present in Sambhal at the time of the violence or the survey, claiming that he was in Bengaluru.

He stated that he planned to return to Sambhal to calm the situation but decided to remain in Delhi after learning about the FIR.

Despite staying away, Barq maintained he reached out to his community members over the phone to promote peace.

The violence in Sambhal unfolded after a local court ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid amid claims that the site previously housed a temple.

The situation escalated with stone-pelting and arson targeting security forces, leaving over 20 police personnel injured and many vehicles damaged.

Barq, along with Sohail Iqbal, son of local MLA Iqbal Mehmood, has been named in the FIR. Authorities allege that Barq visited the mosque days before the violence and delivered provocative remarks that incited the unrest.

Barq’s plea highlights his contention that the charges are baseless and driven by political vendetta, emphasising the “vengeful” stance of the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh. The matter now awaits a decision from the Allahabad High Court.

Nagpur (Maharashtra), Dec 17: Continuing to take potshots at the government, Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is attempting to ‘murder’ the Indian democratic system through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), here on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media, Patole said that the EVMs used in the Lok Sabha elections were not utilised for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, for which EVMs were allegedly brought here from Gujarat.

“There is a gross misuse of EVMs. BJP members are sitting on the board of directors of the companies manufacturing EVMs. The EVMs deployed during the Lok Sabha polls were not used for the state Assembly polls and for this, the EVMs were sent from Gujarat,” contended Patole.

He again slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) for “failing to exercise its constitutional powers” and alleged that all its operations are conducted at the behest of the BJP, “thus revealing their (ECI’s) mindset” – though the government and ECI have rubbished all anti-EVM allegations.

Taking a swipe at the One Nation-One Election, Patole added that the BJP-RSS’ machinations to end the country’s democracy are evident by the ‘One Nation, No Election’ bill brought before Parliament on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) legislators continued their strong protests for the second day against EVMs, the plight of farmers, the custodial death of a Parbhani Dalit man Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi in judicial custody, and the killing of a Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

The MVA legislators of Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP) raised slogans and carried placards condemning the MahaYuti government, targeted the police for alleged atrocities in Parbhani and protecting the culprits in the Beed case, plus sought action against the officials concerned in both matters.

Amid the growing clamour from the Opposition, the Speaker said that the Parbhani matter would be taken up for discussion on Wednesday by the Assembly.

Nagpur, Dec 17: After a bitter fight and war of words during the recently held Assembly election, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Vidahan Bhavan and congratulated him for MahaYuti’s victory.

Thackeray, who was accompanied by his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray and party legislators, spent a few minutes in the CM’s chamber and gave him a bouquet wishing him his successful tenure. Both exchanged their views in a lighter atmosphere. A rare bonhomie between Thackeray and Fadnavis was on display.

“I wished Fadnavis for taking over as the chief minister and also congratulated him for MahaYuti’s victory in the state Assembly. There is a rich tradition in Maharashtra for a healthy dialogue between the ruling and opposition party leaders. I also wished him under his chief ministership Maharashtra will further progress,” said Thackeray.

Thackeray also met the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and congratulated for his election as the Speaker.

The Shiv Sena-UBT chief has clarified that there was nothing political about his meeting with the chief minister.

Ahead of the Assembly election, Thackeray had slammed Fadnavis, likening him to an “insignificant dhekun (bed bug)” and stressing on the need “to get rid of it”. In another public meeting, Uddhav called him “tarbuz (watermelon)” that “should be dumped in potholes”.

Fadnavis hit back saying that something had affected Uddhav Thackeray’s health and he should get well soon.

Thackeray had recently targeted Fadnavis saying “Either you will remain, or I will.” However, after taking over the CM’s charge on December 5, Fadnavis downplayed Thackeray’s statement and said, “Both are in politics.”