'Mentally unstable' man slaps Valsad MLA Bharat Patel

A 25-year-old man claimed to be mentally unstable slapped local BJP MLA Bharat Patel during a religious function at a village here.

The incident took place last night at a temple in Patel's native Parnera-Pardi village, around five kms from Valsad city, police said.

Patel along with thousands of other locals gathered at the temple last night to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti.

At around 9.30 PM, Kishor Patel, who lives in the same village, rushed towards the MLA and slapped him.

Eyewitnesses claimed that Kishor first shouted at Bharat that he was not working for the welfare of the people after being elected as MLA.

In the incident, Bharat Patel's spectacles broke, causing injury near his left eye.

"One of the broken pieces of metal frame pierced into the skin near his eye. He was then rushed to a nearby eye hospital for treatment. People caught Kishor and handed him over to police. We have arrested him on charges of assault," police sub-inspector of Valsad-Rural A K Patel said.

After a brief treatment, the MLA was discharged from the hospital late last night.

Later, talking to mediapersons, Bharat Patel claimed that Kishor is mentally unstable.

"Me and Kishor belong to the same village. I know him because he lives near my house. Everyone knows that he is mentally unstable," he said.

However, police is yet to verify the MLA's claim.

"We are yet to find out if Kishor is mentally unstable. After his arrest, we learnt that he has completed his education till 12th standard," the police officer said.