Close aide of BJP MP Smriti Irani shot dead in Amethi

Sumit Singh

Amethi, Uttar Pradesh: Surendra Singh, ex-village head of Baraulia, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside his house, in the wee hours of Sunday. Police suspect that the murder could be fall out of political rivalry.

BJP’s Smriti Irani recently won the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi after defeating Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

According to police, the incident took place around 3 am. Some bike-borne assailants fired at Singh and fled. The injured former village head was taken to the district hospital for treatment first. Given his serious condition, the doctors referred him to the Lucknow Trauma Center. While traveling to Lucknow, Surendra Singh succumbed to injuries.

After getting the news of the incident, the police reached the spot and filed a case and started investigating it. After this murder, there is a tension in the entire area. Heavy police force has been deployed there.

The newly-elected MP Smriti Irani is going to Lucknow where she will meet the relatives of the deceased. At the same time, the deceased’s family has accused Congress workers of attacking them. The police have taken some suspected assailants into custody.

Surendra Singh had extensively campaigned for Smriti Irani during the Lok Sabha elections. Also, Manohar Parrikar had adopted Baraulia village.

In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Surendra Singh played a big role in campaigning for Smriti Irani. According to the report, Surendra Singh’s influence is in many villages, which has benefited Smriti Irani in campaigning.

 There are 16 elections and two bye-elections on Amethi seat earlier. Of these, Congress has won here 16 times. In 1977 Lok Dal had won and in 1998 BJP had won from Amethi. Apart from Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi has been MP and now this seat has gone to Smriti Irani.