RAJ MINISTER HITS COLLEAGUE

A Rajasthan minister allegedly slapped his colleague on Friday after a heated argument over transfer of teachers, causing a major embarrassment to the ruling BJP in the state.

Two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers in Rajasthan were involved in a scuffle on Friday after a heated argument over the transfer of teachers, according to a witness.

Minister of state for health Banshidhar Bajiya went to the residence of state education minister Vasudev Devnani on Friday morning seeking the transfer of a few teachers from his constituency. Devnani refused Bajiya’s request, a person present at the meeting said.

A heated argument ensued between the two. Bajiya abused Devnani and also pushed him, said the person cited above, who was not willing to be identified.

“Devnani had already agreed to the transfer of 175 teachers from Bajiya’s constituency, but he had come up with fresh demands. There was a heated argument after Devnani refused to agree to fresh demands,” a BJP leader said on the condition of anonymity.

Devnani refused to comment. Bajiya could not be contacted as his cellphone was switched off. Officials in Bajiya’s office also refused to comment. BJP media cell in-charge Anand Sharma confirmed that there was a heated argument between the ministers over the transfer of teachers but denied that Bajiya had slapped Devnani.