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While the duo can be seen in a dramatic conversation, a physical altercation was reported between the security personnel of both leaders.
A physical altercation broke out between security personnel of UP minister Swatantra Dev Singh and MLA Brijbhushan Singh. (Image: X)
A high-voltage drama unfolded in Uttar Pradesh’s Mahoba district on Friday after BJP MLA blocked the convoy of a Cabinet minister, turning a dispute over drinking water and broken roads into a full-blown public confrontation.
The dramatic showdown unfolded when Charakhari BJP MLA Brijbhushan Rajput, accompanied by nearly 100 gram pradhans and supporters, stopped the convoy of Jal Shakti Minister and BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh during his visit to Mahoba on Friday.
The minister was returning from a public programme when his cavalcade was brought to a halt around 3.30 pm by nearly 30 cars and 20 motorcycles deliberately positioned on the road.
At the centre of the confrontation were allegations of large-scale failures in the implementation of the Centre’s flagship Har Ghar Nal Se Jal scheme.
The MLA and village heads accused officials of digging roads to lay pipelines but abandoning the work midway, leaving villages without drinking water and roads in a damaged state for more than a year.
“Nearly 90 per cent of villages in the district are suffering. People ask me every day why water has not reached their homes and why roads remain dug up. What answer should I give them?” Rajput told the minister during the heated exchange.
The situation quickly escalated, with shouting, slogan-raising and arguments between the MLA’s supporters and police officers, including the SDM, CO and local station in charge, as the crowd refused to allow the minister’s convoy to move forward.
Facing mounting pressure, Swatantra Dev Singh stepped out of his vehicle and attempted to defuse the situation by offering immediate action. “I am ready to visit 40 villages right now. Water supply is our responsibility. Officers are with me. If roads are found dug up and water has not reached people, I will suspend the officials concerned,” the minister said, urging the MLA to take him directly to the affected locations.
Videos that later surfaced showed Rajput tapping the bonnet of the minister’s vehicle, questioning how many villages could realistically be visited. Singh responded that he had time until midnight and was willing to inspect all locations pointed out by the MLA.
Another video. Reality exposed.See the condition of Swatantra Dev Singh, trapped like a bird caught in a hunter’s net.
Reason: massive corruption.Jal Jeevan Mission roads dug and abandoned.Taps without water.Serious allegations piling up.
While people suffer, the minister… https://t.co/q4DomnXjbC pic.twitter.com/5dRpqjqvYE
— Sawarn Voice (@Bhairaviyogi) January 30, 2026
Inside the minister’s car, where Rajput was invited for talks, the argument continued. The MLA accused officials of ignoring elected representatives and alleged corruption in the execution of the scheme.
“Officers do not listen to us. There has been massive negligence and corruption. You people don’t see the ground reality. Every village represented here has the same problem,” Rajput said, repeatedly emphasising that the crisis was widespread.
Supporters also raised additional complaints, alleging encroachment on land and houses during project work, further fuelling tensions at the site.
As the standoff threatened to spiral out of control, the minister took charge and proceeded directly to the District Magistrate’s office along with the MLA and village heads. A closed-door meeting was held with DM Gazal Bharadwaj, ADM (Namami Gange), SP and other senior officials.
Following the meeting, the DM assured that all dug-up roads would be repaired within 20 days. The minister reportedly issued stern instructions to officials, warning that lapses would invite immediate suspension.
Despite the assurances, Rajput struck a defiant note. “We will see in 20 days how much the officials listen to the minister. If work is not done, today it was the minister—tomorrow it will be whoever needs to be stopped. I will not back down,” he said.
Later, DM Gazal Bharadwaj rejected allegations of inaction, stating that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 1,131 km of roads were damaged during pipeline laying, out of which 1,118 km had already been reconstructed. Work on the remaining stretches, she said, was underway.
She added that in Charakhari constituency alone, 717 km of CC roads had been constructed and that all work was being carried out as per norms, with third-party inspection verification.
Unconvinced, the MLA alleged that the administration was misrepresenting facts and demanded that senior officials accompany him on village inspections. “If their claims are found false, the government should suspend them,” he said.
The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav launching a blistering attack on the BJP. “BJP’s ‘double engine’ is not just colliding—its compartments are crashing into each other,” Yadav posted on X. “When a BJP MLA holds his own government’s minister hostage, it shows BJP legislators are headed for defeat in the next elections.”
Calling the Mahoba incident a “sample” of statewide discontent, Yadav claimed the ruling party was losing touch with ground realities.
The rare public confrontation between a cabinet minister and a ruling party MLA however has put a question mark on the governance, accountability and implementation of flagship welfare schemes. While the government has promised swift corrective action, the spectacle of internal discord playing out on public roads has already sparked debate well beyond Mahoba.
Uttar Pradesh, India, India
January 30, 2026, 22:10 IST
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