JABALPUR:

CM Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday claimed that

blast accused and BJP candidate from Bhopal

seat

stabbed a man in 2001.

Thakur's conduct did not become of a 'Sadhvi' (ascetic or holy woman), the Congress leader said, speaking at a press conference here. "Pragya Thakur has a connection with our Chhattisgarh. Her brother-in-law worked at a warehouse in Bilaigarh (in Balodabazar district)," Baghel said, when asked whether the BJP was playing the '

card' by fielding her.

"She used to carry a knife and stabbed a young man named Shailendra Devagan in the chest with a knife in Bilaigarh in 2001," Baghel said.

"Pragya also used to indulge in fights, and from the beginning her conduct was like that of a habitual criminal and not like that of a Sadhvi," the chief minister said. Rubbishing Baghel's claims, a BJP spokesperson said the Chhattisgarh CM should "talk sense".

"Baghel ji should refrain from making any statement sans proof. He should apologise for his outlandish remarks against Sadhvi ji or be ready to face a defamation suit from us,"

BJP spokesperson Hitesh Bajpai said.