New Delhi: A video of Madhya Pradesh’s Maughanj MLA, Pradeep Patel, has gone viral after he allegedly told a local resident that his village would not receive a new transformer until a young man who had complained about the broken transformer stopped chewing gutka. The incident has sparked controversy and drew widespread attention to the MLA’s unconventional approach to public service.
In the video, BJP MLA Pradeep Patel can be seen speaking on the phone with the mother of a man who had come to him seeking a resolution for the electricity issue in his village. Patel reportedly told the mother that her son would have to quit consuming gutka before he could take any action on the transformer repair. The conversation, which was recorded and shared on social media, has since gone viral, drawing both criticism and amusement.
मऊगंज: BJP विधाायक प्रदीप पटेल बोले-गुटखा छोड़ोगे तभी लगेगा गांव में ट्रांसफार्मर pic.twitter.com/MfP1Le5gMY
— Raju Sharma (@RajuSha98211687) November 8, 2024
‘Until he stops chewing gutka, no work will be done’
The exchange occurred after the young man, who had visited Patel’s office, was seen chewing gutka. Patel, visibly displeased with the young man’s habit, decided to take matters into his own hands by calling the mother to inform her that the transformer issue would remain unresolved unless her son quit his tobacco habit. “Until he stops chewing gutka, no work will be done,” Patel reportedly told her. He further added that he does not entertain requests from individuals involved in “substance abuse”, which includes not only gutka but also alcohol and other drugs.
Patel, who has been a vocal critic of substance abuse in his constituency, reiterated that he does not help those involved in such habits. He is known for his strong stance against drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and has previously demanded stricter actions against the growing menace of substance abuse in his area.
Netizens expressed support for the MLA’s stance on substance abuse
This is not the first time Pradeep Patel has caused a stir with his unusual approach to governance. Earlier this year, he made headlines after a video surfaced showing him paying respects to an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) by performing a full-body prostration at the police station. Patel had arrived at the police office to voice his concerns about rising crime in the region and the lack of action on drug trafficking.
The recent incident involving the transformer and the demand for quitting gutka has stirred up a debate on social media, with many questioning whether such conditions are appropriate for solving public grievances. Some netizens expressed support for the MLA’s stance on substance abuse, while others criticized his approach as heavy-handed and unprofessional.
