A suspended Biju Janata Dal MLA was on Saturday accused of deliberately driving into a BJP procession at the site of a local election in Chilika, injuring at least 22 people including 10 police personnel.

While no deaths have been reported so far in the incident, five of the victims suffered critical injuries.

Chilika MLA Prasanta Kumar Jagadev, who the BJP alleges was in the driver’s seat, was dragged out by an angry mob and beaten up. He is being treated for grievous head injuries at a Bhubaneswar hospital.

While the police have refused to confirm that Jagadev was driving the SUV, they have registered a case against him of attempt to murder, obstructing a police officer from discharging his duty, and causing injuries to the public.

It wasn’t clear whether a parallel case had been lodged for the retaliatory attack on the politician.

The incident happened near Banpur, about 60km from here, in Chilika constituency and Khurda district.

Jagadeb, 53, suspended from the ruling BJD in September after slapping a BJP leader at a government event in Banpur and out on bail since October, had come to witness the election for the Banpur block office (panchayat samiti) chairperson.

Sources said that with a procession of around 500 BJP supporters headed to the block office, the police advised Jagadeb to avoid the crowd and take an alternative route. But he insisted that the road be cleared for him.

Videos shot by onlookers purportedly show his car pulling over near the crowd and the MLA’s personal security get off to clear the road. Suddenly, the vehicle ploughs into the crowd.

The mob drags the MLA out and beats him before the police rescue him. The crowd damage the SUV badly.

Khurda superintendent of police Alekh Chandra Pahi said: “There was a procession by BJP panchayat samiti members. The MLA was asked to avoid the gathering, but suddenly his car drove into the crowd.”

He added: “Many people including 10 police personnel were injured. The MLA sustained grievous head injuries. All those, including a police inspector who sustained critical injuries, have been shifted to Bhubaneswar. An investigation has begun. Appropriate action will be taken.”

State BJP general secretary Prithivi Raj Harichandan said: “The MLA was drunk. He was in the driver’s seat when the incident took place.”

The BJD demanded strong action against the MLA.

BJD spokesperson and MP Sasmit Patra said: “We strongly condemn the incident. In a democracy, there is no place for violence.”

We urge the police and the administration to take strong action against the people involved in this violence”

The BJP has won the posts of both the Banpur and Chilika block office chairpersons.