A tense confrontation broke out in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind on Wednesday when BJP MLA Narendra Singh Kushwaha nearly struck District Collector Sanjeev Srivastava during a heated dispute over fertilizer distribution. The clash erupted at the Collector’s residence, where Kushwaha, accompanied by farmers, stormed in after the official initially refused to meet them.
The MLA accused the administration of restricting fertilizer supply to just two bags per farmer, calling the move unjust. Tempers flared, with Kushwaha hurling accusations of corruption and even calling the Collector a “thief.” The officer, in turn, warned the MLA to “stay within his limits” and vowed to curb sand mining in the district.
Witnesses reported that Kushwaha clenched his fist as if to slap the Collector, but his gunner intervened to prevent escalation. Outside, his supporters shouted slogans branding the Collector corrupt, and farmers staged a sit-in at the bungalow, erecting tents and speakers as the standoff continued.
The impasse was defused only after intervention from the Chief Minister’s Office. Later, Kushwaha alleged extortion across departments and demanded Srivastava’s removal. Farmers backed his claims of shortages and mismanagement.
Kushwaha, a three-time MLA with a history of shifting between BJP and the Samajwadi Party, reclaimed the Bhind seat in 2023 after returning to the saffron fold.