Supporters of BJP rivals clash, 1 killed

A rivalry between two BJP leaders, one an MLC and the other a former minister, spilled on to the streets, when a dispute over who would follow former BJP CM Rajnath Singh’s vehicle in his cavalcade led to a shoot-out in Varanasi yesterday, leaving a person dead and another injured. Rajnath expressed shock over the incident and termed it unfortunate.

Police have registered two cross-cases on charges of murder and attempt to murder. Nine BJP supporters have been arrested in the case and police say most of them have a criminal history. In fact, the deceased, who was the bodyguard of MLC Sushil Singh, himself was a Azamgarh-based criminal, say police. Sanjay Singh, another Sushil Singh aide who was injured, also has criminal records, they add.

Police say Sushil Singh and former BJP minister Ajay Rai have been at loggerheads ever since the MLC shared the dais with Raja Bhaiyya recently.

The rift came out in the open yesterday when both the leaders joined the cavalcade of Rajnath Singh, who was on his way to the residence of Dr Siddharth Rai, the director of Heritage Hospital.