Valsad

A 25-year-old man claimed to be mentally unstable slapped local BJP MLA Bharat Patel during a religious function at a village here.

The incident took place last night at a temple in Patel’s native Parnera-Pardi village, around five kms from Valsad city, police said.

Patel along with thousands of other locals gathered at the temple last night to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti.

At around 9.30 PM, Kishor Patel, who lives in the same village, rushed towards the MLA and slapped him.

In the incident, Bharat Patel’s spectacles broke, causing injury near his left eye.

“One of the broken pieces of metal frame pierced into the skin near his eye. He was then rushed to a nearby eye hospital for treatment. People caught Kishor and handed him over to police. We have arrested him on charges of assault,” police sub-inspector of Valsad-Rural A K Patel said.

After a brief treatment, the MLA was discharged from the hospital late last night.

Later, talking to mediapersons, Bharat Patel said that Kishor is mentally unstable.

“Me and Kishor belong to the same village. I know him because he lives near my house. Everyone knows that he is mentally unstable,” he said.

“We learnt that Kishor has completed his education till 12th standard,” the police officer said.

(Inputs from PTI)