NEW DELHI: High drama unfolded at the New Delhi address of Independent MP Pappu Yadav Sunday after a man allegedly threw a slipper at him and another allegedly brandished a knife when he was holding a news conference.The accused, identified by sources as Sumit and Happy Sharma, are from Bulandshahr in UP. Police have detained Sumit (34), and are probing Happy’s role. They are verifying if Happy was the one who threw a slipper at the MP, and if Sumit, who runs a hardware shop, brandished a knife at the event.The attack is believed to be linked to Yadav’s recent skit outside Parliament over the alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram temple. On July 31, Opposition MPs staged a skit outside Parliament to protest on the issue, during which Yadav, dressed as a priest, was seen putting donation money in his pocket. MP Bansuri Swaraj complained to police Saturday on the matter.Sunday’s videos show someone throwing a slipper at Yadav. Moments later, chaos erupts and chairs fly as supporters rush to overpower the men, and police step in. Members of Yadav’s team displayed before reporters the slipper and a knife which, they alleged, were used in the attack.Yadav alleged that it was a planned attempt on his life. “When the knife was drawn to attack, our supporters and associates tried to restrain the assailant. I stepped forward and positioned myself between the attacker and Pappu Yadav, and I was beaten severely as a result,” Zaid, MP Yadav’s media convener, claimed.
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Happy told reporters that the duo was “not carrying a knife or any other weapon. We were allowed inside only after a security check.” Police, however, have found a knife in Sumit’s possession. Advocate Kanishk Arora, of Yadav’s legal team, said the MP had received death threats in the past several days, including videos on social media announcing cash rewards for killing him and threatening his family. “We had informed Delhi Police about the threats and sought enhanced security ahead of Sunday’s news conference. However, only three police personnel were deployed,” Arora said.
