Irani attends funeral of aide shot dead in Amethi

AMETHI: A former village head in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, who worked closely with BJP leader Smriti Irani during her Lok Sabha campaign, was shot dead early Sunday morning. Irani reached his village Sunday afternoon to attend his funeral.

Surendra Singh, a BJP worker, was attacked at his home; he died later at a hospital in Lucknow where he was taken for treatment, said police. Police said an old enmity may have led to the killing but have not ruled out a political motive. "We have come to know about old enmity. We are also finding out if there was any political enmity. In the initial investigation, we have got some vital clues," UP DGP Om Prakash Singh said.

Seven people have been taken into custody and they are being interrogated.

Surendra Singh was the former head of Baraulia village. He quit the village head post to participate in the BJP election campaign.

He had actively participated in Smriti Irani's Lok Sabha campaign and had also earned praise from the BJP leader in her speeches at public meetings.

"My father was a close aide of Smriti Irani and would campaign for her day and night. After she was elected as the member of parliament from Amethi, a Vijay Yatra (victory procession) was carried out. I think some Congress supporters didn't like it," Surendra Singh's son said.