Dehradun, February 26 A controversy erupted in Uttarakhand over a video that surfaced online, purportedly showing former BJP MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion throwing money at a woman dancer at a party.
After receiving criticism from state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal for the act, Champion retaliated with his own allegation, claiming that Godiyal and Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat had also attended a dance party in Mumbai over two decades ago.
The controversy centers around a video showing Champion sitting in a chair, showering money at a woman dancer who appeared to be performing for him.
In response to the criticism, Champion, who has been an MLA four times, said, "I am a wrestler, I don't dance. I was simply sitting there like Dharmendra at the party."
However, Rawat and Godiyal had danced at the Mumbai party held at a club, he claimed.
Champion was one of the 10 Congress MLAs who joined the BJP in 2016. He was later suspended by the BJP for over a year over a video showing him dancing with guns. He also faced controversy last year for a public showdown with Khanpur MLA Umesh Kumar, which included both leaders waving guns.
Godiyal admitted to hosting the party in Mumbai in the early 2000s but said it was arranged at the request of some MLAs. BJP's Uttarakhand unit chief Mahendra Bhatt had also attended the party, he claimed.
"I spent a lot of money organizing that party, and now people are accusing me because they wanted the party to be arranged," the Congress leader said.
Harak Singh Rawat refused to comment on the allegations, saying that he would not stoop to such levels as Champion. Bhatt denied that he had ever attended any dance party in Mumbai.