Naresh Meena, an independent candidate in the Deoli-Uniara by-polls, was arrested a day after evading arrest for slapping Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Chaudhary.

After the police attempted to arrest the independent candidate, major violence broke out in Samravata village of Rajasthan’s Tonk late at night on Wednesday. The independent candidate is contesting the Deoli-Uniara by-polls. Reportedly, a video showed Naresh Meena slapping the SDM outside a polling booth where Chaudhary was overseeing election procedures.

The rioters also pelted stones at the officers and set several vehicles on fire. As tensions in the area remain high, Ajmer Range IG Om Prakash confirmed that nearly 60 people have been arrested so far.

The unrest left a trail of destruction in the village. Reports said, around 24 large vehicles and 48 motorcycles were put on fire, with significant damage to multiple homes. Considering the situation, the Special Task Force (STF) units were deployed early Thursday morning to carry out search operations and restore order.

Giving an account of the incident, Tonk SP Vikas Sangwan narrated that in Samravata village, some people had boycotted voting. In an effort to address the issue, SDM, Tehsildar, Additional SP, and other officers visited the area, when independent candidate Naresh Meena entered the voting station and physically assaulted the SDM, he continued. Vikas Sangwam also added that the Additional SP immediately restrained him. The Tonk SP held that action will be taken as per the law. He also clarified that following their intervention, voting resumed peacefully.

Meanwhile, Independent candidate Naresh Meena alleged that SDM Amit Chaudhary had previously assaulted locals. He said that the SDM had earlier beaten a woman in Hindoli, along with her husband and a teacher, and forced them to cast votes under threats of job loss. He claimed that his supporters have been harassed since October 25, his campaign posters were torn down, and attempts were made to prevent people from voting for him.

As the first phase of the Jharkhand Assembly election for 43 seats concluded on Wednesday, the voter turnout stood at 64.86 per cent till 5 pm. The BJP-led NDA is looking to oust the JMM-led coalition in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that infiltration remains the biggest issue in Jharkhand.

The 43 seats where election is being held, are primarily located in the tribal-dominated South Chotanagpur, northern Palamu and Kolhan regions. Among the seats voting today, 20 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and six for Scheduled Castes (SCs). Furthermore, Two of the seats, namely,  Chatra and Simaria are located in the state’s most backward district, also called Chatra. 

The BJP has offered 25 promises as part of its Sankalp Patra, addressing a range of issues such as infiltration, Uniform Civil Code, and the INDIA bloc has underlined seven guarantees in the fields of education, domicile policy, social justice, food, Maiyya Samman Yojna, jobs, and farmers welfare, replicating its model in Karnataka and Telangana.

While the BJP assured that the tribal identity will be fully preserved even though the party plans to implement the UCC in the state, the INDIA bloc has relied on the social justice plank, promising 28% reservation for tribals; 12% for Dalits and 27% for OBCs, alongside protection of the interests of the minorities in the state.

Meanwhile, in one of the major contests, former chief minister and  BJP candidate Champai Soren is contesting against JMM rival Ganesh Mahali in the Seraikela seat. Champai Soren’s son Babulal Soren has been fielded by the saffron party in Ghatsila, against JMM candidate and Jharkhand Cabinet minister Ram Das Soren. Former Congress CM Madhu Koda’s wife, former MP Geeta Koda, will be contesting on a BJP ticket against sitting Congress MLA Sona Ram Sinku in Jaganathpur. Former BJP CM and ex-Union minister Arjun Munda’s wife Meera Munda is in the fray against sitting MLA Sanjib Sardar in Potka.

The second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly Election will take place on November 20. The results for the election will be declared on November 23.

The Election Commission on Wednesday checked Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s bag amid Uddhav Thackeray’s allegation.

The Chief Minister’s bags were checked after his helicopter landed at the Palghar Police ground helipad. The action followed after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray questioned the election panel after his bags were checked by officials. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said his bags had been inspected by the election authorities after he arrived in Latur and Yavatmal districts over the last two days.

He asked the Election Commission officials if the same action will be taken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Addressing a public meeting in Wani, Uddhav Thackeray said that he is not angry with the ECI officials as they were doing their duty, and questioned whether they check the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.

Reacting to the allegations, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that Uddhav Thackeray was trying to divert the attention by needlessly protesting against the checking of his bags by poll officials and was seeking votes by whining.

The Deputy Chief Minister questioned what is wrong in checking bags, adding that their bags were also checked during campaigning, and that there was no need for this level of frustration. He mentioned that the Election Commission officials followed the same procedure with his campaign team too.

Earlier in the day, bags of deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar were also checked by EC officials in Baramati. The Maharashtra BJP had also posted a video on X showing officials checking Devendra Fadnavis’ bags.

The Maharashtra Assembly Election will be held on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on November 13.