'Should be beaten with shoes': SP minister Sanatan Pandey on not being called as chief guest at a railway event

Sanatan Pandey

Samajwadi Party MP Sanatan Pandey on Friday voiced anger over not being named the chief guest at a railway event in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district, directing sharp criticism at officials and accusing them of failing to carry out their duties.

The event was held at Phephna railway station, where Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Ayush Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’ was scheduled to attend as the chief guest. Mishra, who also serves as the minister in charge of Ballia, later cancelled his visit citing unavoidable circumstances.

Addressing a gathering in Bagheji village in the Phephna area on Friday night, Pandey said that when the central government undertakes a project in any state, the local Member of Parliament is made the chief guest, regardless of whether the MP belongs to the ruling party or the opposition. “Today, this government has shown its true colours again,” he said.

Expressing his frustration, the Ballia MP added, “I feel like going to that programme and throwing the chair away. People say that I am always picking up a lot of quarrels.”

Pandey further lashed out at officials, saying, “If officers don't do their jobs, should they not be beaten up with shoes ('adhikaari kaam nahin karenge to joota nahin khaenge')?. File a case, do whatever you want, I am ready to face it, but I am not ready to bow before the government and its representatives.”

Responding to the criticism, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Neeraj Shekhar said the event was organised for a train stoppage and that Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’ was appointed chief guest in accordance with a letter issued by the railway minister.