BJP MLA Velsingh Bhuria has landed in a controversy after saying he can "order encounters"
A BJP lawmaker in Madhya Pradesh has boasted publicly that he can order an "encounter", while hitting out at a journalist who confronted him with tough questions.
Velsingh Bhuria was attending a farmers' event in a village on Tuesday when he made the remarks. He was apparently offended when bombarded with questions from a crowd, including a journalist. He was asked whether he knew anyone in the local administration.
Mr Bhuria snapped: "You are talking about my clout? I have the powers to order an encounter. If people disturb the peace and create problems, then I can do that. Talk to me with respect. I am your legislator. You are the media. If you want to write about it, do so by all means. I don't care."
His hubris faded as the comment generated controversy.
"My statement which is being shown in the media is not my complete statement, the media has distorted my statement. It is a conspiracy by my rivals. I respect the media and if my statement has hurt anyone I apologise." Mr Bhuria amended later.
An encounter is often used as a euphemism for planned killing of a target by policemen.
Mr Bhuria, 35, is a first time legislator and represents the Sardarpur constituency.
The Congress on Thursday went to the police with a mobile clip of the lawmaker's comment and demanded his arrest. The police have reportedly said they will look into it.
The BJP, which rules Madhya Pradesh, has not formally responded to the statement, but a local leader brushed aside the comments.
"He is an innocent man and simple. He can't have said anything like this. His statement is being misrepresented. I stand by him," said a BJP district president Ramesh Dhariwal.