Watch: Uma Bharti turns street vendor, sells poha-jalebi to protest demolition drive

A video of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti selling poha and jalebi from a roadside cart in Tikamgarh has gone viral. Responding to it, the veteran BJP leader said the act was a protest against an anti-encroachment drive that removed street vendors from key areas of the town.

Just a few days ago, the Tikamgarh Municipal Corporation carried out a demolition drive along Civil Lines Road, where several handcarts and small kiosks were cleared by officials, including the SDM and tehsildar, citing encroachment.

The action triggered concern among local vendors, many of whom rely on these setups for their daily livelihood.

Taking a stand, the former Chief Minister on Tuesday stepped onto the streets and joined the vendors, symbolically selling poha and jalebi from a cart.

She termed the administration’s action “dictatorial” and urged authorities to reconsider the crackdown, saying it unfairly targets the poor.

Bharti said small traders work hard to sustain their families and that such drives directly affect their survival. She appealed to officials to restore the removed carts and allow vendors to continue earning in their usual spaces.

She also warned that she would intensify her protest if similar actions were repeated.

The former Union minister said she had raised the issue with senior officials and also spoken to the state leadership, including the Chief Minister and BJP state president, seeking relief for affected vendors.

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