BJP minister confuses own MLA with Congress leader:Calls Chintamani Malviya, a Congressman; says sexual harassment allegations ‘must be true’

Madhya Pradesh Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat landed in an awkward situation on Thursday after failing to recognise his own party’s Alot MLA and former MP Chintamani Malviya during a press conference. When asked about sexual harassment allegations made against Malviya by Reena Borasi Setia, Silawat mistakenly called it an internal matter of the Congress and said, ‘The allegations must be true, that’s why they were made.’ The controversy began after Setia accused Malviya of sexually exploiting a woman. In response, Malviya sent a ₹10 crore defamation notice. When the media questioned Silawat about the issue, he replied, ‘This is an internal matter of the Congress. Why are you asking me?’ BJP leaders present on stage interrupted him and reminded him As soon as Minister Silawat’s reply was heard, BJP leaders present on the stage interrupted him and reminded him that Malviya was an MLA from his own party. Even after this, Minister Silawat could not give a clear answer and seemed to evade the question. He said, The allegations must be true, that’s why they were made. There will be an impartial investigation. A little later, he changed his statement, called the allegations baseless, and justified Malviya’s complaint. Minister Silawat gave answers like this Chintamani Malviya, who has been a former MP, has been accused of sexual harassment. He has also met the Governor. What do you have to say about this? He said, this is an internal matter of Congress. Why are you asking me? (At this, BJP District President Shravan Chavda interrupted the minister and said that Malviya ji is our MLA from Alot) No, Chintamani ji is yours. On this, he reacted Chintamani ours? Who said that? BJP MLA from alot… Reena Bourasi has accused Chintamani Malviya of sexual harassment. The minister said that if the allegations are true, then they are made. It will be investigated with complete impartiality; if anything wrong is found, action will be taken. Right? So, he did the right thing? No-no, I am asking you, who made the allegations? Reena Bourasi had made the allegations. In response, Chintamani Malviya has filed a defamation suit of 10 crore rupees. On this, he said that those allegations are baseless. They are false allegations. The subject concerning Chintamani Malviya ji, its presentation is different. What you are asking, you are asking in the wrong way. Present it properly, and the allegations that have been made are completely baseless.