Joshi, Vadra spat at Jolly Grant airport

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 28

Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi is in the news for the wrong reason once again. He along with his supporters allegedly created a ruckus at the Jolly Grant airport here today after having an argument with Robert Vadra.

Vadra reportedly refused to accept Joshi’s bouquet for his alleged involvement in hitting the police horse, Shaktiman, a few months ago. Joshi, however, rubbished the report.

Vadra is the husband of Priyanka Gandhi, and son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Vadra arrived here from New Delhi through a regular flight to celebrate the birthday of his son, a student of The Doon School. Ganesh Joshi was already there at the airport to welcome Krishna Raj, Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, and senior BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi.

On seeing Vadra, Joshi went up to him to offer a bouquet of flowers. Before Ganesh Joshi could do so, one of the Vadra’s security guards told him about Joshi’s “involvement in the Shaktiman case”. So Vadra refused to accept the bouquet, saying that he would not oblige the MLA who is accused of “killing” a horse.

Vadra’s refusal infuriated Joshi. His supporters started raising slogans against Vadra at the airport. The security personnel took them out of the airport.

Vadra said, “The mute and helpless animal was unable to speak but I have the voice and I will raise it on whatever forum possible.” He left to meet his son after the episode.

Joshi, while addressing mediapersons, rubbished the reports of the spat.

“I had gone to welcome Union Cabinet minister Krishna Raj and BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi. I saw Robert Vadra at the airport but did not converse with him,” he said.

Priyanka Gandhi had already arrived in Dehradun by a train in the morning to celebrate the birthday of her son Rehan.

The Shaktiman controversy had stirred the state politics in March this year after Joshi allegedly hit the police horse at a BJP rally. The horse had later succumbed to its injuries. Joshi had refuted the allegation of hitting the horse claiming that he was there in front of the horse whereas the animal’s hind leg was severely injured.