Thu Nov 14 12:06:43 UTC 2024: ## Naresh Meena, Once a Close Aide of Sachin Pilot, Arrested for Slapping SDM in Rajasthan By-election
**Deoli-Uniyara, Rajasthan:** Naresh Meena, an independent candidate in the recent by-election, has been taken into custody after slapping the SDM, Amit Chaudhary, during a heated incident. Meena, known for his rebellious streak in politics, has a history of defying the Congress party.
Meena, a close associate of Congress leader Sachin Pilot, had previously sought a ticket from the Congress party for the Deoli-Uniyara seat. After being denied, he contested as an independent candidate in the 2022 Assembly elections, garnering over 44,000 votes and causing significant damage to the Congress’s prospects. He also attempted to secure a ticket for the Lok Sabha elections but was ultimately re-inducted into the Congress party in March.
Meena’s history of political defiance extends beyond the recent by-election. In September 2022, he was arrested after a mob, led by him, protested the death of Congress leader Dinesh Meena. The mob, enraged by the incident, blocked roads and set a bus on fire.
Meena’s political career began in 2003 when he was elected General Secretary of the Rajasthan University Students’ Union. He subsequently became a close follower of social activist Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena, earning the moniker “Chhota Kirodi.”
The current arrest comes amidst a tense political atmosphere in Rajasthan, with the by-election results showcasing a tight contest between the BJP and Congress. Meena’s actions have further escalated tensions in the region.
First Piper 