BJP MLA Prahlad Gunjal has apologised to his party after he was heard threatening an officer on phone
A BJP lawmaker from Rajasthan is heard abusing and threatening a senior medical officer in a phone conversation that has gone viral on social media. Prahlad Gunjal is heard telling the officer, "I will skin you alive. You won't sleep at night. I will put such fear in you."
Mr Gunjal was allegedly threatening RN Yadav, the Chief Medical Officer of Kota district, over the transfer of a male nurse related to a BJP worker.
The lawmaker, who has now been booked, has since given a written apology and explanation to his party, but several doctors in Kota who have announced a strike say it is not enough. Many of them have threatened to resign if action is not taken against Mr Gunjal.
Throughout the conversation, widely circulated on WhatsApp, Mr Gunjal is heard telling the chief medical officer that he would kick him, slap him, cut off his hair, hit him with shoes or beat him to pulp. Threats are also made to Dr Yadav's family.
Mr Gunjal appeared furious that the transfer of the nurse was not stopped even after he put in a word. The nurse was removed recently from a health centre over alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines.
"I told you he is family. How dare you throw attitude? I will punch you. I want the order by tomorrow, or else... I hope you understand what I am trying to say. I want the order by tomorrow. Listen to me carefully," he shouts.
Dr Yadav has resigned in protest and has been given security by the police. "He kept abusing me for several minutes," he told reporters on Thursday night.
Mr Gunjal was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying he just "scolded" Dr Yadav but didn't threaten or intimidate him. He claimed that he had asked Dr Yadav to reconsider the nurse's transfer four times but he didn't listen.