Surat: BJP municipal councillor Jayshree Vora and her husband, party worker Manhar Vora, have alleged that fellow councillor Mahendra Desai assaulted them during a meeting at the office of BJP MLA from Surat North, Kanti Balar.The couple submitted a written complaint to BJP leaders at the city and state levels on Wednesday, alleging that the incident took place on Monday. Jayshree Vora, a councillor from ward 5, and her husband alleged that Desai, who is chairperson of the town planning committee, assaulted them during the meeting, leaving them injured.According to their complaint, the couple suffered fractures to a thumb and a finger. They said they had considered approaching the police immediately after the alleged assault but did not do so at the request of MLA Balar.Manhar Vora told TOI that the argument began after Desai accused him of naming him in connection with a complaint regarding unauthorised construction and its subsequent demolition.“I asked him to show me proof when he hit me with a chair,” Manhar alleged. He said he had sought action against Desai from the party leadership through his written complaint.BJP leaders at the city and state levels have assured Jayshree Vora that her complaint will be heard in the coming days.Desai, however, denied the allegations and said no assault had taken place. He described the incident as a heated argument.“I have not attacked anyone and the allegations are false. It was a heated argument. I will take the necessary steps after discussing the matter with the party leadership,” Desai said.Desai said he had gone to the MLA’s office to submit a representation along with representatives of several residential societies from his ward when the argument broke out.
