Haryana BJP MP faces stone-pelting over power tariff hike

Kaithal: A group of locals in Siwan village here allegedly pelted stones at Haryana BJP MP Raj Kumar Saini at a function in protest over hike in power tariff by the state government, police said.

A policeman was also injured in the incident, though the minister escaped unhurt from the spot.

Saini, who is under fire from the Jat community for opposing reservation for them, went to the village last night to attend a Ram Lila function on the invitation of MLA Kulwant Bazigar, police said.

As soon as he arrived, irate locals started sloganeering against him and also pelted stones, in which one police personnel was injured, police said.

However, Saini and Bazigar did not receive any injuries and were immediately whisked away to the car, they said.

Apparently the people at the function wanted to register their protest against the hike in power tariff by the Haryana government.

However, Saini, a first time BJP MP from Kurukshetra, said, "It was not a protest against the alleged power hike, rather it was a conspiracy to kill me," and added that had police not reached the spot on time, the mob could have done anything with him.

A case has been registered in this connection and investigation is underway, police said.